Laura Bessen, M.D.

Director

Laura Bessen, M.D., has two decades of global pharmaceutical industry experience in medical leadership roles spanning clinical development, medical affairs, and product launches. Dr. Bessen retired in 2016 from Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) after 15 years in leadership positions, most recently as Vice President, Head of US Medical. Previously at BMS, she was Vice President, Head of US Medical Immunoscience and Neuroscience; and before that, Head of Immunoscience and Oncology Global Medical Affairs. Prior to BMS, Dr. Bessen was at DuPont Pharmaceuticals in medical affairs leadership roles. She currently provides strategic and board level advice as managing partner of Maxsam Advisors LLC. Dr. Bessen received her M.D. degree from New York University School of Medicine and B.S. in biochemistry from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She trained in internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY, and infectious diseases at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.