Dr. Paul Leon

Paul Leon, PhD, is the Senior Director of Business Development, Search & Evaluation, and Partnering at AstraZeneca. In this role, he spearheads strategic deal sourcing, scientific evaluation, and alliance formation for the Vaccines & Immune Therapies business unit. Dr. Leon identifies high-value collaboration opportunities, negotiates partnerships, and shapes the external innovation strategy for AstraZeneca.

Before assuming his current position, Dr. Leon held various leadership roles within AstraZeneca, including government and NGO strategy, alliance management, and program management. These roles allowed him to build a solid track record in cross-functional partnership and translating science into impact.

Dr. Leon earned his PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, specializing in biomedical science and translational innovation. Throughout his career, he has served on grant reviewer panels and advisory boards, worked in management consulting, and led business development efforts in biotechnology firms. These experiences have equipped him with both scientific depth and practical deal-making expertise.

Beyond his professional duties, Dr. Leon is an active contributor to thought leadership within the life sciences community. He collaborates with academic, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders to foster innovative collaboration models, participates in conferences and advisory forums, and mentors emerging leaders in translational science. His unique combination of rigorous research and strategic business development enables him to bridge the gap between discovery and implementation, advancing global health initiatives.