# John Crowley

> John Francis Crowley is the President & CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world's largest biotech trade association with 1,100+ member companies in 30+ countries. A Georgetown and Harvard Business School alumnus, Navy Reserve veteran who served in Afghanistan, and author of 'Chasing Miracles,' Crowley co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals - which sold to Genzyme for ~$175-200 million - and later built Amicus Therapeutics from a 5-person startup into a global biopharmaceutical company. His life story inspired the 2010 CBS Films feature 'Extraordinary Measures,' in which Brendan Fraser portrayed him alongside Harrison Ford. Since taking the helm at BIO in March 2024, he has repositioned the organization around U.S. biotech competitiveness, FDA modernization, and patient advocacy.

- **Role:** President & CEO at Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
- **Organizations:** Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Amicus Therapeutics, Novazyme Pharmaceuticals, University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees, United States Naval Academy Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America (former National Chairman), Global Genes Project (founding board member), Aspen Institute (Henry Crown Fellow), U.S. Navy Reserve (commissioned officer, ret.)
- **From:** Englewood, New Jersey, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Attended (transferred), United States Naval Academy, B.S. in Foreign Service, International Economics, Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School, M.B.A., Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals; sold to Genzyme for ~$175-200M in 18 months, Built Amicus Therapeutics from 5-person startup to 500+ employee global biopharmaceutical company, Led FDA approval of Galafold (2018) - first oral therapy for Fabry disease

## Career timeline

- **1992** — Litigation associate at Bingham Summers Welsh & Spilman law firm, Indianapolis
- **1993** — Management consultant, San Francisco
- **1995** — Joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in health care research and management
- **1997** — Earned MBA from Harvard Business School
- **2000** — Co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals with Dr. William Canfield; funded with $100K home equity loan
- **2001** — Genzyme Corporation acquired Novazyme for approximately $175-200 million
- **2001** — Joined Genzyme as Senior Vice President, Genzyme Therapeutics
- **2005** — Co-founded Amicus Therapeutics as President & CEO; built from 5-person startup
- **2007** — Completed six-month active duty tour at Center for Naval Intelligence
- **2009** — Named Henry Crown Fellow, Aspen Institute
- **2010** — Published memoir 'Chasing Miracles'; CBS film 'Extraordinary Measures' released (Brendan Fraser as Crowley, Harrison Ford)
- **2011** — Deployed to Afghanistan as Deputy Chief of Intelligence for elite special operations task force
- **2014** — Named National Chairman, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
- **2018** — FDA approved Galafold (Amicus) for Fabry disease - first oral therapy for the condition
- **2022** — Delivered Notre Dame Commencement Address; received Honorary Doctor of Laws
- **2023** — Inducted into Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
- **2023** — FDA approved Pombiliti + Opfolda (Amicus) for late-onset Pompe disease
- **2024** — Named President & CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) effective March 4, 2024
- **2025** — Testified before Senate HELP Committee on U.S. biotech competitiveness (October 29)
- **2026** — Headlined BIO International Convention in San Diego marking biotech's 50th anniversary

## Achievements

- Co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals; sold to Genzyme for ~$175-200M in 18 months
- Built Amicus Therapeutics from 5-person startup to 500+ employee global biopharmaceutical company
- Led FDA approval of Galafold (2018) - first oral therapy for Fabry disease
- Led FDA approval of Pombiliti + Opfolda (2023) for late-onset Pompe disease
- Inspired the 2010 CBS film 'Extraordinary Measures' (portrayed by Brendan Fraser)
- Inducted into Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans (2023)
- Received Honorary Doctor of Laws from University of Notre Dame (2022)
- Named Notre Dame Commencement Speaker (delivered May 2022)
- Served as National Chairman of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America (2014)
- Founding Board Member, Global Genes Project
- Ernst & Young New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year (2007)
- Henry Crown Fellow, Aspen Institute (2009)
- Decorated Navy Reserve intelligence officer; served in Afghanistan (2011)
- Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Leadership Award, Life Sciences PA (2024)
- Led formation of Congressional Caucus on Rare Diseases (2010)
- Author of 'Chasing Miracles' (2010, with Ken Kurson)

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Headlined BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego marking biotech's 50th anniversary; addressed China competition, AI democratization, and U.S. biotech urgency to ~20,000 attendees
- **2026-02** — Delivered keynote at MDA 2026 Clinical & Scientific Conference: 'Driving the Future of Innovation, Policy, and Patient Impact'
- **2025-10** — Testified before U.S. Senate HELP Committee on 'The Future of Biotech: Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness and Delivering Lifesaving Cures to Patients'
- **2025-09** — Released BIO statement opposing immediate 100% pharmaceutical tariffs; warned they would accelerate China's path to biotech dominance
- **2025-05** — Released statement opposing Trump's Most Favored Nation executive order on drug pricing, calling it 'a deeply flawed proposal'
- **2025-02** — Opening speaker at SCbio 2025 Annual Conference in Charleston, South Carolina
- **2024-09** — Keynote at Global Genes RARE Advocacy Summit calling for a 'patient-led revolution'
- **2024-06** — Featured prominently at BIO 2024 International Convention
- **2024-04** — Received Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Leadership Award from Life Sciences PA
- **2024-03** — Officially began as President & CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization on March 4, 2024

## Links

- Website: https://bio.org/about/bio-leadership/john-f-crowley
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-f-crowley
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IAmBiotech
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsijOpOsfS0S9kwL4GtGgZ12pe7JJZdPd
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/IAmBiotech

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-crowley
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-30