GHIT Fund is pleased to announce that Dr. Katey Einterz Owen, Director for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Pharmaceutical Industry Leadership Engagement at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been appointed as a new member of GHIT’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Owen earned her PhD in molecular virology from Purdue University, carried out academic research on influenza at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill (London), then worked for the pharmaceutical industry. She joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as Deputy Director for Vaccine Development in 2013. Currently, she has end-to-end responsibility for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s investment portfolio for neglected tropical diseases. In her role as lead for industry leadership engagement, she facilitates regular interaction between the CEOs of pharmaceutical organizations with Mr. Bill Gates, advancing effective collaboration to achieve global health goals.

“It is a great honor to join the Board of Directors, which is made up of global health experts and leaders. The GHIT Fund plays an important role in maximizing Japanese technology and innovation in diseases predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to providing financial support, offering strategic advice and sharing knowledge to further strengthen our partnership with the GHIT Fund and Japan.” said Dr. Owen.

Ms. Catherine Ohura, CEO and Executive Director of the GHIT Fund, said “I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Owen as a new Board member. Dr. Owen's perspective as a researcher, her deep understanding of the for-profit pharmaceutical business, and her expertise and experience in product development and delivery will contribute very positively to GHIT’s strategy formulation and execution.”

For more information on the Board of Directors, please visit:

https://www.ghitfund.org/leadership/boardofdirectors/en