Galya Blachman
About Galya Blachman
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Business Development
Galya Blachman holds the position of Chief Legal Officer and Head of Business Development. In this role, she oversees legal matters and spearheads business development strategies. Her responsibilities encompass formulating legal frameworks, managing compliance issues, and driving business growth initiatives. Her dual expertise in law and pharmacology allows her to bridge the gap between legal and scientific domains effectively.
Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Cambridge University
Galya Blachman earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Cambridge University. Her academic research focused on the structure-function relationships of multidrug transporters. This advanced study provided her with deep insights into pharmacological mechanisms, which inform her current legal and business endeavors.
Legal and Science Education Background
Galya Blachman's academic journey began at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where she earned an M.Sc. in Pharmacology and a B.Sc. (with honors) in Biochemistry and Hebrew. She later received her law degree from BPP University Law School and completed a postgraduate diploma in intellectual property law at Oxford University. This robust educational background supports her dual roles in law and life sciences.
Career at 5AM Ventures and the 4:59 Initiative
At 5AM Ventures, a life science venture capital firm, Galya Blachman served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. She also took on the role of Chief Operating Officer of the 4:59 Initiative, 5AM’s company incubation engine. Her work here involved managing legal compliance and operational oversight, fostering start-up growth within the life sciences sector.
Professional Roles at Stemcentrx and AbbVie
Galya Blachman has held key legal roles in both Stemcentrx and AbbVie. At Stemcentrx, she was the Director, Legal, and upon the company’s acquisition by AbbVie, she joined AbbVie’s Legal R&D transactions team. These positions allowed her to navigate complex legal landscapes in the pharmaceutical industry.
Legal Career Foundation at Slaughter and May, and Simmons & Simmons
Galya Blachman began her legal career in London, gaining valuable experience at law firms Slaughter and May, and Simmons & Simmons. She worked within the intellectual property group, laying a strong foundation for her subsequent roles in the legal aspects of life sciences and biopharmaceuticals.
Board Member and General Counsel of Biotech Connection-Bay Area
Currently, Galya Blachman serves on the Board and is the General Counsel of Biotech Connection-Bay Area, a non-profit organization. This role involves connecting academic trainees with industry professionals to facilitate career growth and networking within the biotech community.