Former Pfizer R&D Chief Mikael Dolsten Joins Formation Bio to Chair Drug Picking Committee and Co-Chair its Investment Advisory Committee

NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Formation Bio, an AI-driven pharmaceutical company revolutionizing drug development, today announced that Mikael Dolsten, MD, PhD, former Chief Scientific Officer and President, Pfizer Research & Development, has joined the company as a strategic advisor. In his role, Dolsten will serve as Chair of the Drug Picking Committee, Co-Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee, and Chair of the Science, Technology, and Product Planning Committee.

Dolsten brings decades of experience in drug development and investment, having played a key role in Pfizer's industry-leading R&D efforts, including the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine, the oral anti-viral drug Paxlovid, and many blockbuster therapies across a range of therapeutic areas. He concluded his tenure at Pfizer on March 1, 2025, after more than 15 years of leading the company's R&D strategy, during which he oversaw the development and approval of more than 35 medicines and vaccines and moved over 100 drug candidates through clinical development, shaping global drug innovation at an unprecedented scale.

At Formation Bio, he will focus on leading asset selection and drug development strategy, leveraging his extensive global network to identify high-potential assets. More broadly, he will also provide strategic guidance on the company's AI initiatives, advising on the development of its AI platform for asset search, evaluation, and deep research on drug targets to enhance decision-making and accelerate pipeline growth.

"The pharmaceutical industry is at an inflection point, where AI is shifting from an experimental tool to a core driver of efficiency and innovation in drug development," said Mikael Dolsten. "I have seen firsthand how AI has transformed drug discovery, yet development remains a critical bottleneck. Formation Bio is leading the charge in applying AI to streamline and accelerate this process, creating a new paradigm for pharma. Their ability to integrate AI at every stage—from asset selection to clinical execution—positions them to fundamentally reshape the industry. I am excited to work alongside this exceptional team to help bring more innovative therapies to patients faster and more efficiently than ever before."

Formation Bio seamlessly integrates AI across many facets of the drug development lifecycle—from asset sourcing and evaluation to clinical trial execution—aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve success rates. Currently, Formation Bio's pipeline includes four majority-owned assets, with a goal to expand to 10-15 assets over the next 3-5 years.

"Mikael is one of the most respected minds in pharmaceutical R&D, with a track record of shaping some of the most important drug advancements of our time," said Ben Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of Formation Bio. "His scientific leadership, strategic vision, and ability to bridge cutting-edge research with real-world applications have made a lasting impact on the industry. His involvement with Formation Bio reflects his belief in the transformative power of AI in drug development, and we are incredibly fortunate to have his expertise on board."

About Formation Bio: Formation Bio is an AI-native pharma company differentiated by radically more efficient drug development. Formation Bio has built technology and AI platforms, processes, and capabilities to accelerate all aspects of drug development and clinical trials. Formation Bio partners, acquires, or in-licenses drugs from pharma companies and biotechs to develop programs past clinical proof of concept and beyond, leveraging their proprietary tech and AI capabilities, ultimately helping to bring new medicines to patients. For more information, please visit www.formation.bio.

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Formation Bio's business prospects, pipeline development, and asset expansion plans. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Formation Bio undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.

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SOURCE Formation Bio