Senior health science industry innovation leader joins Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Sally Allain, former head of JLABS @ Washington, D.C., was appointed chief health sciences growth and innovation officer with the research institute and the Office of Health Sciences and Technology to drive strategic partnerships and advance commercialization efforts.
Sally Allain, former head of JLABS @ Washington, D.C., will be involved in all aspects of the commercialization and industry partnership enterprises specifically related to health sciences at Virginia Tech, serving as the Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and representing Virginia Tech biotechnology industry partners.
A senior business leader in the development and translation of biomedical science innovation through the commercialization pipeline has joined Virginia Tech to facilitate the growth of the academic health sciences research enterprise through building strategic industry partnerships and facilitating commercialization of discoveries.
Sally Allain, formerly the head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS @ Washington, D.C., has been named the Chief of Health Sciences Growth and Innovation Officer with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and the Office of Health Sciences and Technology, said Michael Friedlander, the university’s vice president for health sciences and technology and executive director of the research institute.
Allain will be involved in all aspects of the commercialization and industry partnership enterprises specifically related to health sciences, including technology commercialization, startup companies, and research collaborations with corporate, academic, and government organizations.
She will serve as the Virginia Tech Office of Health Sciences and Technology ambassador and representative with established biotechnology industry partners such as pharmaceutical, medical device, imaging, diagnostic, and digital health companies.
“Sally Allain has an exceptional track record for developing biotech businesses and building partnerships with up-and-coming as well as established companies,” Friedlander said. “She is also an experienced and committed mentor of early-stage biotech startup entrepreneurs and has a deep understanding of the role of academic scholarship and innovation in the commercialization enterprise. She is highly regarded by colleagues in academia and industry on the global stage and can be a powerful connector for Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students with interest in working with industry partners and bringing their discoveries to the marketplace. She has made a significant impact in this capacity to strengthen the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia life sciences economies.”
In her most recent role as head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS @ Washington, D.C., Allain set the strategic direction and oversaw all activity, including external engagement, business development, innovation sourcing, portfolio management, and operational excellence.
Allain built strategic partnerships with corporate, academic, government, and industry organizations that aim to strengthen the region’s life sciences innovation network.
Allain has long been involved with the research institute and Virginia Tech, going back to her undergraduate days at the university. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech, so her return feels like a journey coming full circle.
“Seeing the strength of what Virginia Tech has built at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and in health sciences, along with big growth plans moving forward, I believe the organization is at an inflection point filled with opportunities,” Allain said. “I really see that growth mindset. It feels like the right time to join the university and I'm excited to be a part of the health sciences team.”
Allain joined JLABS after serving as senior director of Strategy and Operations at Johnson & Johnson, where she played a key role in establishing a new operating model, managing global portfolios, and supporting strategic business development.
Prior to that, within Immunology at Janssen Research & Development (Johnson & Johnson), Allain led a team responsible for overseeing global external collaboration and alliance portfolios and research operations from early discovery to early development.
“Sally Allain is the ideal person to help us to take the health sciences and technology enterprise to the next level,” Friedlander said. “She knows the innovation and commercialization ecosystem at the state, regional, national and global levels, she knows the players, she knows excellence. And most importantly, she understands at a very high level what it takes to establish formal science, health science, and biotech partnerships, initiatives, and relationships. This is a big plus for Virginia Tech. We expect amazing things ahead.”
Allain will collaborate with Virginia Tech Innovation and Partnerships.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in microbiology/immunology from Virginia Tech, Allain earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.
