As CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, Emilio A. Emini, Ph.D. leads the Institute’s research and development of novel products and interventions for diseases disproportionately impacting the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Before joining the Gates MRI, Emilio served as director of the HIV and Tuberculosis program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led the foundation’s efforts focused on accelerating the reduction in the incidence of HIV and TB in high-burden geographies, with the goal of achieving sustained epidemic control. Over the course of his previous 30-year career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Emilio led teams involved in the research and development of novel anti-infectives and vaccines. From 1983 to 2004, he led research at the Merck Research Laboratories involved in the development of one of the first highly active antiretroviral therapies for HIV and, as senior vice president of vaccine research, the successful development of a number of vaccines including vaccines for human papillomavirus and rotavirus.

He later served as senior vice president of vaccine development at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. From 2005 to 2015, he was senior vice president of vaccine R&D at Pfizer Inc., leading the development of Prevnar 13^® for prevention of pneumococcal disease.

Emilio was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Weill Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in 2006. He is a former trustee of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and a former member of the National Preparedness & Response Science Board, an advisory committee to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, International Society for Vaccines, and The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology, Genetics, and Biochemistry from the Weill Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences.

My team's role is pretty straightforward: work closely with our partners around the globe to ensure that a steady stream of exciting assets are ready to move into clinical development to treat the most serious diseases and help the neediest patients.

I accidently ended up in the Chlamydia laboratory at the University of Texas the summer I was 15, and I was immediately hooked on microbiology and research. I'm lucky to have found my passion early and to have been able to pursue it throughout my career. My time at Cubist gave me the opportunity to do everything from target selection to meeting with physicians to talk about our drugs; most importantly, it gave me the chance to meet people whose lives had been saved by our antibiotics. There is no greater reward for a scientist than to know that their work has changed lives, and it is the desire to do this on a global scale that drew me to the Gates MRI, and inspires me every day.

I get up in the morning, and go to bed each night, asking questions.

In my role as Head of Quality Assurance & Enterprise Operations at Gates MRI, I’m responsible for enabling and sustaining a culture built on quality principles and committed to protecting the safety and rights of investigational study participants, quality in investigational product development and manufacturing, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulatory requirements and guidance ensuring data integrity in study conduct. As a registered nurse by training, I believe that everyone has the right to access to treatments that will either treat their condition or cure them. In our discovery of these treatments, we must take caution in continuing to protect the rights of those participating in our clinical trials, especially those in the vulnerable populations. Towards our ongoing objective of ensuring efficiency and productivity I also oversee centralized operations including Compliance & Risk Management, Finance, Procurement, IT, and systems support, Facilities, Strategy, Administrative Support, Regulatory Operations and Human Resources Operations.

My diverse background ranges from conducting clinical trials in an academic environment to working in large and small pharmaceutical companies, where I travelled worldwide auditing clinical trial activities and leading global QA organizations. I know the importance of partnering with others to ensure a clear understanding of good pharmaceutical practices and how to implement them across regions to ensure success.

As a leader, inspiring teams to deliver their best every day is equally critical to success.

I’m honored to be part of the institute's commitment to quality in service of saving lives of the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations.

Throughout my career I’ve been involved with public health, both globally and locally in anti-infective drug development. The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute is largely devoted to infectious disease as well as other areas, and I felt I could meaningfully contribute to the health and well-being of the world’s poorest populations. As founder, board member and Chief Science Officer at Iterum Therapeutics, my group proudly developed the antibiotic sulopenem. Prior to that, as a founder and Chief Medical Officer of Durata Therapeutics, we developed the antibiotic dalbavancin. Before joining Durata, I worked at Pfizer, and engaged in the in the development and registration of a number of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and HIV therapeutics. I served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development as well as a member of the Expert Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medicines for Malaria Venture. I currently chair the Board of Health in my local community.

I studied economics as an undergraduate at Northwestern University and earned my MD from the SUNY Health Sciences Center, Brooklyn. I was a resident in Internal Medicine at Hartford Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital and completed fellowship training at Yale in Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine.

Every day I think what an incredible privilege it is to lead an organization whose sole reason for existing is to use cutting-edge technology and science to find solutions for these diseases, and make them accessible to all.

As Chief of Staff, I support the CEO in driving the rhythm of the organization, and in developing and advancing strategic initiatives to help realize our vision as a global health biotech. In line with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stance that all lives have equal value, our job at the Gates MRI is to apply the latest breakthrough science and technology to some of the world’s most intractable diseases affecting the poor.

Prior to joining the Gates MRI, I worked on multiple healthcare initiatives in Mali and in Tanzania between 2007-2009. I later served in Kigali, Rwanda from 2010-2013 as Research Fellow to Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho and to Harvard University Professor Dr. Paul Farmer. Returning to the United States, I consulted for industry and non-profit entities on global access to oncology products and services, leading multi-country studies and coordinating an effort resulting in the 16-drug expansion of the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines for Cancer. Building on experience and training in global health, medicine, and business management, I was drawn to the Gates MRI by its vision to chart a new course forward in pharmaceutical product development. My goal is to contribute to the Gates MRI’s efforts to make a tangible and enduring impact across the globe.

Understanding the mechanisms that make complex systems work has always been a passion of mine. Applying these insights to research and the development of prophylactic and therapeutic products to solve global health challenges has been the key focus of my professional career. I believe that a planful approach to managing a portfolio of programs and integrating complex drug development processes is instrumental in ensuring the success of the end product. Enabling organizations to deliver transformational, life-saving medicinal products has always been my priority. To that end, I have devoted my energy to planning, coordinating and optimizing the development of life saving therapies in a nimble, digestible, efficient and deliverable manner.


At the Gates MRI, I am privileged to be able to apply my professional focus to accelerate product development for populations with high unmet needs. It takes a well-integrated and aligned team with broad research, clinical, regulatory, quantitative, technical and operational expertise to complete this challenging task. I am thrilled to be part of this effort and to work with those who have devoted their lives to helping underserved populations globally!

I am responsible for delivering efficient and reliable legal guidance, managing legal risk, and supporting the development of solutions that accelerate impact. My team collaborates across the Gates MRI with a laser focus on developing and using legal agreements, tools, and strategies in practical and creative ways that advance our mission. In structuring deals, our focus is the lives of people with greatest need.

I am a business, technology, and global health attorney with 20+ years’ experience working with highly innovative companies and nonprofits to achieve their business and charitable objectives. For five years, I supported the Global Health Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where I helped to structure and negotiate some of the foundation’s most substantial investments and collaborations in TB, HIV, and vaccine development.

As Lead Counsel, I remain a member of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation legal group, but my entire focus is leading the Gates MRI legal team.

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