Michael Samar

Michael brings 25 years of experience in life sciences and biotech, serving as both a strategic partner and a financial advisor to growth-phase and impact-driven organizations while helping forge a culture of success. Previously, Michael served as Chief Financial Officer at Windgap Medical, and before that, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Assembly Biosciences, as well as in senior leadership positions including Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Operations. Michael was Vice President of Finance and Site Head for the South San Francisco facility at Acorda Therapeutics (formerly Biotie Therapies). In earlier positions, he served as Director, Financial Planning and Analysis at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Senior Finance Director, Global Planning and Analysis at Agennix (formerly GPC Biotech), and roles of increasing responsibility within finance at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development. Michael earned his MBA from Villanova University and his BSBA in finance from Bryant University. He also serves on the Boards of Unity Biotechnology and OUTbio, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ professionals in the biotech and related industries.