Leadership — Strategic Business and Development Leaders

Ian B. Walters, MD, MBA is a physician-scientist, serial biotech entrepreneur, and seasoned drug developer contributing to five new drug approvals over the past 29 years. Most recently he has served as CEO/Chairman of Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) and on numerous boards. He has advised venture funds and worked as an entrepreneur in residence leading to the formation of 9 biotech companies and several IPO’s. He specializes in the evaluation, prioritization and development of new therapies for the treatment of severe diseases.

Prior to founding Blue Ocean Medicines, he had leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, Millenium Pharmaceuticals, and PDL where he oversaw biomarker and companion diagnostic work, evaluating and executing licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, corporate development, translational medicine, clinical development and medical affairs. Before entering the private sector, Ian was a lead investigator at the Rockefeller University and initiated advanced immunology research to understand the mechanism of action of several compounds.

Ian received his M.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an MBA from the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.

Brian Wiley is Chief Business Officer of Blue Ocean Medicines, where he leads global business development and corporate strategy. He brings more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical experience, spanning strategic partnerships, corporate development and commercialization. His background combines leadership at emerging biotechnology companies and experience at large pharma.

Brian has led M&A and licensing transactions totaling more than $5 billion and contributed to public and private financings exceeding $150 million. As Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development at NewLink Genetics, he led commercialization and business development efforts, including strategic collaborations with Genentech and Merck. Earlier, he played key roles in the sale of Gloucester Pharma to Celgene and Celgene’s acquisition of Abraxis. His commercial experience includes four commercial product launches.

Brian founded Boston BioConsulting, LLC, with executive and advisory roles in senior management positions across multiple companies and therapeutic areas. Brian also served as Chief Business Officer of Portage Biotech and Executive Director of Sage Healthcare. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Celgene, Gloucester, Millennium and Aventis.

Steven Innaimo is a biopharmaceutical executive with more than 30 years of experience leading global clinical development, alliance management, and project operations across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and contract research sectors. As Vice President of Alliance Management & Operations at Blue Ocean Medicines, he leads strategic partnerships, operational governance, and cross-border development programs spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.

Prior to joining Blue Ocean, Steven held senior leadership roles at OBI Pharma, Portage Biotech, Covance, and Bristol Myers Squibb, where he built and led international teams advancing therapies from development through commercialization. He contributed to the development, regulatory submission, and approval of several important therapies, including Opdivo®, Yervoy®, Baraclude®, Erbitux®, Ixempra®, Taxol®, and Paraplatin®. He is recognized for his expertise in global clinical operations, alliance management, project leadership, and driving successful collaborations across industry partners worldwide.

Steven earned a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Connecticut and holds a Project Management Certificate from Boston University.