Full Name
Aubrey Watkins
Job Title
Vice President, Corporate Development
Company
The Jackson Laboratory
Speaker Bio
Dr. Aubrey Watkins III is a nationally recognized biopharmaceutical executive, corporate development strategist, and innovation leader with more than two decades of experience spanning drug discovery, translational science, corporate strategy, business development, commercialization, and operational leadership across the life sciences industry.
He currently serves as the inaugural David Shaw Family Endowed Vice President of Corporate Development at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), one of the world’s leading nonprofit biomedical research institutions. In this role, Dr. Watkins leads corporate development initiatives focused on strategic partnerships, commercialization opportunities, innovation ecosystem development, business model expansion, and global collaborations designed to amplify JAX’s impact in biomedical research, precision medicine, genomics, and translational science. The endowed position was established through the philanthropic support of JAX Chair Emeritus David Evans Shaw to advance innovation and translation across the institution.
Prior to joining JAX, Dr. Watkins served as Senior Director of Business Development and Corporate Strategy at Emergent BioSolutions, where he played a significant role in expanding the company’s product portfolio and corporate growth trajectory during a period in which revenue increased from approximately $600 million to $1.6 billion. In this capacity, he led and supported strategic initiatives involving search and evaluation, licensing, due diligence, acquisitions, and market analysis across clinical, non-clinical, regulatory, quality, manufacturing, and supply chain domains. He was directly involved in due diligence activities supporting Emergent’s landmark acquisitions of PaxVax, Inc. and Adapt Pharma, Inc., the maker of Narcan®.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Watkins held leadership positions at Merck & Co., where he successfully led strategic sourcing, business development, and supplier diversity initiatives across research, manufacturing, and commercial operations. He managed annual budgets exceeding $150 million and supported major clinical and commercial programs, including agreements and transactions contributing to the development and launch of Keytruda® (MK-3475), one of the world’s leading cancer immunotherapies. His work at Merck also focused heavily on fostering partnerships with emerging biotechnology companies, contract research organizations (CROs), contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and minority-owned enterprises within the life sciences ecosystem.
Dr. Watkins began his scientific career at the bench, building deep expertise in molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, biochemical assay development, translational pharmacology, and preclinical animal model development. This scientific foundation enabled his transition into executive leadership roles integrating scientific innovation with corporate growth strategy and commercialization.
A dedicated advocate for innovation, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and diversity in the life sciences, Dr. Watkins has served in numerous leadership and advisory capacities. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of WorkSource Montgomery, helping guide workforce and economic development initiatives in Maryland. He previously served on the Board of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., chaired Black Originators, Leaders, and Doers (BOLD) at Emergent BioSolutions, and served as National Chairperson of the Merck League of Employees of African Descent (LEAD). He has also contributed to the Scientific Advisory Committee and Leadership Council of the Board of Trustees of The Wistar Institute and served on the Scientific Advisory Committee for L2C Partners.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Watkins is deeply committed to mentoring future leaders, strengthening pathways into biotechnology careers, and supporting veterans transitioning into life sciences professions. He is a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserves, where he served as a 12B Combat Engineer from 1987 to 1995.
Dr. Watkins earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology and a Master of Science in Pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Pittsburgh.
His career reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing biomedical innovation, building strategic partnerships, fostering inclusive growth within the life sciences sector, and accelerating the translation of scientific discovery into meaningful improvements in human health.
He currently serves as the inaugural David Shaw Family Endowed Vice President of Corporate Development at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), one of the world’s leading nonprofit biomedical research institutions. In this role, Dr. Watkins leads corporate development initiatives focused on strategic partnerships, commercialization opportunities, innovation ecosystem development, business model expansion, and global collaborations designed to amplify JAX’s impact in biomedical research, precision medicine, genomics, and translational science. The endowed position was established through the philanthropic support of JAX Chair Emeritus David Evans Shaw to advance innovation and translation across the institution.
Prior to joining JAX, Dr. Watkins served as Senior Director of Business Development and Corporate Strategy at Emergent BioSolutions, where he played a significant role in expanding the company’s product portfolio and corporate growth trajectory during a period in which revenue increased from approximately $600 million to $1.6 billion. In this capacity, he led and supported strategic initiatives involving search and evaluation, licensing, due diligence, acquisitions, and market analysis across clinical, non-clinical, regulatory, quality, manufacturing, and supply chain domains. He was directly involved in due diligence activities supporting Emergent’s landmark acquisitions of PaxVax, Inc. and Adapt Pharma, Inc., the maker of Narcan®.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Watkins held leadership positions at Merck & Co., where he successfully led strategic sourcing, business development, and supplier diversity initiatives across research, manufacturing, and commercial operations. He managed annual budgets exceeding $150 million and supported major clinical and commercial programs, including agreements and transactions contributing to the development and launch of Keytruda® (MK-3475), one of the world’s leading cancer immunotherapies. His work at Merck also focused heavily on fostering partnerships with emerging biotechnology companies, contract research organizations (CROs), contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and minority-owned enterprises within the life sciences ecosystem.
Dr. Watkins began his scientific career at the bench, building deep expertise in molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, biochemical assay development, translational pharmacology, and preclinical animal model development. This scientific foundation enabled his transition into executive leadership roles integrating scientific innovation with corporate growth strategy and commercialization.
A dedicated advocate for innovation, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and diversity in the life sciences, Dr. Watkins has served in numerous leadership and advisory capacities. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of WorkSource Montgomery, helping guide workforce and economic development initiatives in Maryland. He previously served on the Board of BioHealth Innovation, Inc., chaired Black Originators, Leaders, and Doers (BOLD) at Emergent BioSolutions, and served as National Chairperson of the Merck League of Employees of African Descent (LEAD). He has also contributed to the Scientific Advisory Committee and Leadership Council of the Board of Trustees of The Wistar Institute and served on the Scientific Advisory Committee for L2C Partners.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Watkins is deeply committed to mentoring future leaders, strengthening pathways into biotechnology careers, and supporting veterans transitioning into life sciences professions. He is a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserves, where he served as a 12B Combat Engineer from 1987 to 1995.
Dr. Watkins earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology and a Master of Science in Pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Pittsburgh.
His career reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing biomedical innovation, building strategic partnerships, fostering inclusive growth within the life sciences sector, and accelerating the translation of scientific discovery into meaningful improvements in human health.
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