Joan Fusco

Dr. Joan Fusco has 30 years of experience in the biotechnology/vaccines industry across major functional areas with 20 years in executive management responsible for technical, programmatic, and general operations. Her expertise is navigating the biopharmaceutical product development life cycle from concept to commercialization, including four new products with significant healthcare and revenue impact.

Prior to forming Crozet, Dr. Fusco was VP of Product Development for BioProtection Systems, the infectious disease subsidiary of NewLink Genetics Corp., leading the advanced manufacturing, analytical and quality operations of the Ebola vaccine program. Prior to joining NewLink, she was the VP of Regulatory Affairs, Eastern Region for CBR International Corp.; a consulting firm providing integrated program, technical, regulatory and strategic development solutions for the biotech, pharmaceutical and device industries. Prior to that Dr. Fusco was an independent consultant to the biodefense and biotechnology industry for strategic product development; Senior VP, Operations, PharmAthene, leading process and analytical, development, technology transfer, and manufacturing/supply chain operations for a biodefense portfolio that included human therapeutics and prophylactics. As Senior VP, Operations, Acambis (now Sanofi Pasteur), Dr. Fusco held responsibility for the development and commercial manufacturing operations logistics/purchasing, quality systems (QA/QC), process and analytical development, project management, and information technology; a total team of ~150 supporting a biodefense and commercial pipeline of viral and bacterial vaccines (potential >$2B value). She held pivotal operations roles in the advanced development, FDA licensure, commercial manufacturing, and global delivery of 200+ million doses of ACAM2000® smallpox vaccine.

Prior to Acambis, Dr. Fusco held senior positions at Baxter Healthcare (BioSciences); VP-Technical Affairs and Global Project Management, with global responsibility for the vaccines development pipeline/portfolio with an estimated value >$2 billion, which included the expanded licensure of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine in 30 countries worldwide. At North American Vaccine (NAVA - acquired by Baxter), she held various positions of increasing responsibility including VP, Business Development and Acting Head-Manufacturing Operations, and was responsible for the commercial manufacture of US and European licensed biologics. Dr. Fusco had a pivotal role in the development and commercialization of three pediatric vaccines – acellular pertussis (DTaP) (CertivaTM), DTaP-polio (DTaP-IPV), and meningococcal C meningitis conjugate (NeisVac-C®; now a Pfizer product).

Dr. Fusco earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology (Biological Sciences; bacterial virulence/immunity factors) from the University of Pittsburgh. She has deep experience in the development of a multitude of vaccine products for existing and emerging infectious diseases and biothreats, including meningitis A/B/C, Hib, Group B strep, Group A strep, pseudomonas, gonorrhea, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, pneumococcus, West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, smallpox, anthrax, plague, influenza (seasonal and pandemic), Ebola and Zika. She has presented at numerous conferences and most recently served on Wellcome Trust’s Ebola Vaccine Team B.