Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, an RNAi therapeutics company, announced that chief executive officer John Maraganore, Ph.D., has been elected as the chair of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 term.

“BIO has long supported the innovative, transformative work of the biotech community, and it is an honor to serve as Chair for this organization that continues to drive innovation across healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products, while continuing my leadership of Alnylam,” said Dr. Maraganore. “I’ve devoted my life’s work to the biotech industry and believe that it is one of the most powerful examples of what can be accomplished when people work together to solve problems for the benefit of all of humanity. I look forward to working with industry leaders, government, patient groups, physicians and stakeholders around the globe to advance BIO’s mission while addressing some of our industry’s most exciting opportunities and most pressing issues.”

BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other countries. Dr. Maraganore has served on the board since 2006. He has held roles on the Executive Committee, served as co-chair of the Regulatory Environment Committee and previously served as chair of the Emerging Company Section. Dr. Maraganore will serve as BIO chair through June 2018, when he will be eligible for re-election for another one-year term.

“John Maraganore has been an active member and engaged leader of BIO for more than a decade. As an industry veteran and pioneering leader within the biotech community, I am confident he will advance the mission of BIO and our industry at large,” said Jim Greenwood, president and chief executive officer of BIO. “I look forward to working closely with John to ensure the continued success of BIO.”