BioNJ Enters New Era with Genmab's Christopher Cozic at the Helm

TRENTON, N.J. – February 12, 2026 – BioNJ, the state’s largest life sciences trade association, has ushered in a new chapter of leadership, appointing a new Chair and several key Board members poised to guide New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem through a pivotal era. The appointments were announced at the organization's 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting and Innovation Celebration on February 5, an event that drew hundreds of industry executives and featured an opening address by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Christopher Cozic, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer at the global biotechnology company Genmab, was unanimously elected to serve as the new Chair of the BioNJ Board of Trustees. He succeeds Dr. Emer Leahy, President & CEO of PsychoGenics, who successfully guided the organization for the past two years.

A Strategic Shift in Leadership

The selection of Christopher Cozic marks a significant and strategic move for BioNJ. As a seasoned human resources executive with a track record of scaling organizations and cultivating mission-driven cultures, his leadership signals a deep focus on talent as a critical driver of innovation. His expertise in organizational development and employee engagement comes at a time when the life sciences industry is facing intense competition for skilled professionals.

Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ, praised the transition. "We look forward to working with incoming Chair Chris Cozic to support our Members during this pivotal time for the industry — one that demands unity, resilience and bold leadership to advance progress for Patients," Hart stated. She highlighted Cozic's unique qualifications for the role, noting, "Mr. Cozic's talent for inspiring others and building strong, mission-driven teams will be invaluable as we work together to strengthen New Jersey's life sciences ecosystem and advance our mission — to help our Members help Patients."

In his role at Genmab, Cozic has been instrumental in managing the company's rapid growth, which expanded from fewer than 170 employees to nearly 2,000 in just over six years. His philosophy centers on human resources as the "backbone" of an organization, responsible for attracting, developing, and engaging top talent—a perspective he now brings to the broader New Jersey life sciences community.

"It's an honor to serve as Chair of BioNJ, a community that represents the heart of New Jersey's biotech and pharmaceutical industry," said Cozic. "Working alongside the Board, the BioNJ Team, our members and partners across the State, I look forward to championing BioNJ's strategic priorities, advancing the life sciences innovation ecosystem, supporting the creation and retention of high-quality jobs and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia."

Building on a Foundation of Advocacy

Cozic takes the helm from Dr. Emer Leahy, who will now serve as Immediate Past Chair. Dr. Leahy's tenure was lauded for its significant impact on policy and advocacy, reinforcing BioNJ's influential role in both Trenton and Washington, D.C. under its guiding principle, Because Patients Can't Wait®.

"We are deeply grateful for Dr. Leahy's stewardship and unwavering commitment to BioNJ over these past two years," Hart commented. "During her chairpersonship, she strengthened our voice, expanded our reach and championed innovation and Patient needs that drove tangible policy and legislative progress across New Jersey. Dr. Leahy's contributions leave a lasting impact that will continue to benefit BioNJ, the life sciences community and, most importantly, Patients."

This established foundation of successful advocacy provides a strong platform from which the new leadership can address ongoing and future challenges, including healthcare affordability, patient access to innovative medicines, and fostering a regulatory environment that supports groundbreaking research.

Assembling a 'Brain Trust' for a Pivotal Time

Reinforcing its strategic refresh, BioNJ also welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees, creating a formidable 'brain trust' of expertise from some of the industry's most prominent companies. The new members bring deep knowledge in rare diseases, immunology, global policy, and corporate affairs:

• Mary Elizabeth Blake, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Amicus Therapeutics
• Kevin Hamill, President, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
• Christine Kingsbury, Vice President & Head, U.S. Marketing, Ascendis Pharma
• Allyson McMillan-Youngblood, Senior Vice President & Head, Rare Disease Franchise, Acadia Pharmaceuticals
• Martin Whalen, Senior Vice President, Global Policy & Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb

The inclusion of leaders from companies like Amicus, Ascendis, and Acadia underscores a heightened focus on rare diseases, a sector at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation. Meanwhile, the addition of executives from industry giants Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb, both with massive footprints in New Jersey, ensures the board remains grounded in the realities of large-scale R&D, manufacturing, and global policy. Martin Whalen's specific expertise in government affairs will be particularly vital to BioNJ’s advocacy mission.

Further ensuring stability and continuity, three board members were re-elected for another two-year term: Alexandra Gruener of Pfizer, Dr. Matthew B. Klein of PTC Therapeutics, and Robert Zamboldi of Novartis.

Fortifying New Jersey's Life Sciences Ecosystem

The new leadership team is tasked with steering BioNJ at a time of both immense opportunity and significant change for New Jersey's life sciences sector. The state remains a global hub, boasting a dense concentration of over 400 research-based organizations, a deep talent pool, and world-class academic institutions. This vibrant ecosystem is a key driver of the state's economy and a cornerstone of its identity.

Cozic's vision to strengthen collaboration across industry, government, and academia directly supports the continued health of this ecosystem. His focus on talent development aligns with the state's need to cultivate and retain the workforce required to power next-generation therapies, particularly as fields like data science and artificial intelligence become more integrated into drug discovery and development.

By assembling a board with diverse expertise in commercial strategy, patient advocacy, and global policy, BioNJ is positioning itself to not only support its member companies but also to proactively shape the future of healthcare innovation. As Cozic stated, the ultimate goal is to ensure New Jersey remains a global leader, bringing "new, life-saving medicines to Patients around the world."