David Epstein is executive partner at Flagship Pioneering, chairman of Axcella Health, chairman of Rubius Therapeutics and chairman of Evelo Biosciences.  

David is also a board member at Tarus Therapeutics, Ring Therapeutics, Woolsey Pharmaceuticals, Dynamics Special Purpose Corp, Opy Acquisition Corp and Valo Health.  

From early 2010 to mid 2016 he served as chief executive officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, a division of Novartis AG. Previously, David started and led Novartis’ Oncology and Molecular Diagnostic units. Under his leadership the company’s oncology business grew to the second largest in the world.
David has more than 25 years of extensive drug development, deal making, commercialization and leadership experience on a global scale. 

Over the course of his career he led the development and commercialization of over 30 new molecular entities, including major breakthroughs such as Glivec, Tasigna, Gilenya, Afinitor, Cosentyx and Entresto.  His teams developed 3 Prix Galien award winning medicines and he has developed several CEOs.  He was named by FierceBiotech as one of the “25 most influential people in biopharma.”

David is a Director at Three Opinions Foundation and Chairman at South Florida’s Pelican Harbor Seabird Station (PHSS).  PHSS is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured or orphaned brown pelicans, seabirds, and other native wildlife and the preservation and protection of these species through educational and scientific means.  

Early in his career, David was an associate in the strategy practice of consulting firm Booz, Allen and Hamilton. David holds a B.S. in pharmacy from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy (1984) and an M.B.A. in finance and marketing from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business (1987).