Biocom California Names its Next Chief Executive

Biocom California has named Tim Scott as its president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2025, succeeding Joe Panetta, who has led the organization for a quarter century. Scott has been active on Biocom California’s Board of Directors since 2010, having served as the board’s chair since 2022. Chair-elect Sabrina Martucci Johnson, president and CEO of Daré Bioscience, will succeed Scott as board chair.

Panetta will continue to serve as president and CEO until Dec. 31, 2024, after which he will become president emeritus. In that role, he will continue to lead international strategic relations and serve in an advisory role to Scott.

“These are big shoes to fill,” Scott said. “Joe’s leadership and vision has transformed our industry, both in California and in Washington, D.C. His contributions have established a strong foundation for Biocom California’s continued growth and life science industry leadership. He has been a stalwart supporter of this industry for most of his life, and I intend to build on his work to support California’s life science community.”

Scott has more than 20 years of biotech leadership experience, having supported the industry in a wide range of roles including as a serial entrepreneur, advisor, board member and investor. His passion, respect, and advocacy for the life science industry will be instrumental in shaping Biocom California’s growth and implementation of its strategic plan. He is a strong supporter of programs and policies that empower innovation, enable entrepreneurship, support drug and medical device development, and foster an understanding of the patient journey.

“Having collaborated with Tim for many years advancing the needs of the California life science industry, I have seen firsthand his passion for our industry and his commitment to patients,” Panetta stated. “Tim’s career, which spans roles on the service provider side and within developmental-stage biotechnology companies, gives him a nuanced perspective that will serve our members across all facets of the life science industry well. I know that Biocom California is in good hands.”

Scott will join Biocom California from AustinPx, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), where he has served as CEO and board member since 2022. He began his life science career in analytical chemistry and technical sales before founding Pharmatek Laboratories, a CDMO sold to Catalent Pharma Solutions in 2016. He later founded and led TEGA Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company developing recombinant heparan sulfate and enzyme replacement therapies for lysosomal storage diseases. He has expansive experience in multiple facets of the life science industry, from drug discovery and development to manufacturing and fundraising to partnerships and acquisitions. Scott has founded or supported numerous spinout technology companies from UC San Diego and currently serves on the board of multiple biotechnology companies, including AustinPx, TEGA Therapeutics, Avelas Biosciences, and DTx Pharma, which was sold to Novartis last year. He also has been a leading voice for workforce development and STEM education, supporting various non-profit organizations. Scott earned a bachelor of arts degree in biochemistry from UC San Diego and a JD from the University of San Diego School of Law.

“To lead the California biotech community with its incredible ecosystem of research institutions, funders, incubators, pharma companies, patient advocacy groups and service providers, all committed to the mission to move innovative technologies forward for the benefit of human health around the globe, is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” Scott continued. “I am honored to lead Biocom California as we propel the industry forward in this unprecedented era of innovation and discovery across the state. I am eager to work with Biocom California’s members and our team to drive this mission forward.”

“For years, I’ve worked side-by-side with Joe and Tim to support the varied needs of our life science members, and I am confident that Tim’s experience, drive and dedication will enable him to excel as our new leader. After engaging in a comprehensive search to find the right person to succeed Joe, we believe we have found that person in Tim and are thrilled that he has decided to take on this role,” Johnson added.

Biocom California is the advocate for California’s life science sector, working on behalf of more than 1,800 members to drive public policy, build a network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs, and create robust value-driven purchasing programs. Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom California provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. In addition to its San Diego headquarters, Biocom California operates core offices in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with satellite offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo. The organization’s broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers.