Full Name
Karen Wilson
Job Title
Board Member
Company
Elicio Therapeutics, Connect Biopharma, Lava Therapeutics
Speaker Bio
Karen J. Wilson is a global biopharmaceutical executive who serves on the boards of private and public life science companies. Karen is currently Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) (formerly Angion Biomedica), Connect Biopharma (CNTB) and Lava Therapeutics (LVTX). Elicio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Connect is a clinical-stage company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation immune modulators for the treatment of serious autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Lava Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Karen was previously independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Vaxart, Inc. (VXRT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral recombinant vaccines that are administered by tablet rather than by injection.
Karen has more than 35 years of industry and leadership experience in life science companies across finance, strategy and risk management. She has extensive public and private company experience as a chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and finance executive, and has been responsible for financial risk management, global accounting, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, execution of financings, procurement, workplace operations, investor relations, SAP implementation and information technology.
Most recently, Karen served as Senior Vice President of Finance at Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ), an international biopharmaceutical company, and also as Principal Accounting Officer. During her tenure at Jazz from February 2011 to September 2020, she built a global finance team, worked closely with the Audit Committee and the company’s accounting firm, led financial due diligence and execution of numerous M&A integrations, and contributed to Jazz’s rapid growth from $0.2B to $2.2B of revenue. Prior to Jazz, from 2009 to 2011, Karen served as Principal Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance at PDL BioPharma, Inc., a life sciences company. From 2005 to 2009, she served as a principal at Wilson Crisler LLC, a consulting firm. From 2001 to 2004, she was Chief Financial Officer of ViroLogic, Inc., a biosciences company. Prior to joining ViroLogic, Ms. Wilson served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations for Novare Surgical Systems, Inc., a medical device manufacturer. Prior to Novare, Ms. Wilson worked for Deloitte & Touche LLP, a professional services firm, for ten years, serving clients in both the life sciences and technology industries.
Karen is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.S. in Business from the University of California, Berkeley.
Karen has more than 35 years of industry and leadership experience in life science companies across finance, strategy and risk management. She has extensive public and private company experience as a chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and finance executive, and has been responsible for financial risk management, global accounting, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, execution of financings, procurement, workplace operations, investor relations, SAP implementation and information technology.
Most recently, Karen served as Senior Vice President of Finance at Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ), an international biopharmaceutical company, and also as Principal Accounting Officer. During her tenure at Jazz from February 2011 to September 2020, she built a global finance team, worked closely with the Audit Committee and the company’s accounting firm, led financial due diligence and execution of numerous M&A integrations, and contributed to Jazz’s rapid growth from $0.2B to $2.2B of revenue. Prior to Jazz, from 2009 to 2011, Karen served as Principal Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance at PDL BioPharma, Inc., a life sciences company. From 2005 to 2009, she served as a principal at Wilson Crisler LLC, a consulting firm. From 2001 to 2004, she was Chief Financial Officer of ViroLogic, Inc., a biosciences company. Prior to joining ViroLogic, Ms. Wilson served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations for Novare Surgical Systems, Inc., a medical device manufacturer. Prior to Novare, Ms. Wilson worked for Deloitte & Touche LLP, a professional services firm, for ten years, serving clients in both the life sciences and technology industries.
Karen is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.S. in Business from the University of California, Berkeley.
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