About
Susan Whitehead
Susan Whitehead is a biotech executive and hands-on operator with over 25 years of experience advancing therapies from discovery through approval. She began her career in the lab before joining Johnson & Johnson, where she served as project management lead for the IONSYS® NDA and MAA resubmissions and later as Program Leader for a drug-eluting stent, advancing it from formulation feasibility to first-in-human in just 13 months.
She went on to hold leadership roles in program & portfolio management at BiPar Sciences (Sanofi), Bavarian Nordic, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, driving oncology programs through late-stage development milestones. At Caligor Rx, she served as Global Head of Operations and General Manager, overseeing global expanded-access programs. She later joined PACT Pharma, where she rose to President and Chief Operating Officer after leading program operations for a first-in-class personalized cell therapy described in Nature and STAT as “one of the most complex therapies ever attempted in humans.”
Susan founded BioSavvy Advisors to help biotech and life-science companies close the gap between strategy and execution. Her work centers on bringing clarity to complex challenges, aligning teams, and executing with discipline so capital and science move further, faster. Known for her calm, pragmatic leadership, she works closely with rising and established leaders to strengthen decision-making, build resilience, and restore confidence during times of uncertainty or change
At over 17,000 feet on the Timmerman Traverse, every step was a reminder that meaningful impact takes grit and a great team. These are the same qualities that move science forward.
Who We Are
BioSavvy Advisors was created to help biotech and life sciences companies bring great science to life.
We work with leaders during defining moments, when focus, teamwork, and operational discipline matter most. With fresh perspective and deep industry experience, we help teams solve complex problems, regain momentum, and deliver results efficiently.
Today, BioSavvy Advisors is growing into a collective group of experienced operators and scientists to help organizations move forward with focus and purpose.
Our Approach
Biotech companies don’t stall because they lack ideas. They stall because execution gets complicated. We bridge the gap between strategy and delivery, ensuring strong governance, clear decision-making, and aligned teams.
Our work is pragmatic and focused on execution, designed to strengthen leadership and operating structures. We partner closely with leadership teams to accelerate timelines and optimize resources to bring therapies to patients, faster.
At BioSavvy Advisors, we believe progress in science only matters when it reaches people. This is the work that drives us every day.
What Sets Us Apart
We bring the perspective of people who have led from the inside. Operators who understand how biotech works and what it takes to move programs forward.
Hands-on leadership. Experience guiding teams and organizations through complex, high-stakes moments.
Diplomacy and trust. The ability to navigate sensitive situations, align stakeholders, and sustain momentum without creating noise.
What Drives Us
Clarity over complexity. We bring structure to complex strategies, creating a clear path to action.
Momentum with discipline. We execute with pace, grounded in precision and accountability.
Impact with purpose. Patients and outcomes remain at the center of every decision.
Looking ahead, every summit starts with focus and purpose.
Ready to accelerate your strategy?