Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President William N Hait to retire

Since joining Johnson & Johnson in 2007, Dr. Hait has focused his teams on the intersection of unmet medical need and breakthrough science, transforming the lives of millions of patients around the world. In his current role as Chief External Innovation and Medical Officer, Dr. Hait has led the Company’s efforts to tap the external innovation ecosystem for disruptive technologies and cutting-edge science that is helping its sectors improve human health while advancing how Johnson & Johnson meets its obligations around product safety and ethical research.

“From his leadership of what now is our Innovative Medicine R&D Organization to his current role, Bill has been pivotal to advancing how Johnson & Johnson combines transformative innovation with a relentless focus on patient care to improve human health, aligned with Our Credo,” said Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson. “I’ve had the pleasure, and privilege, of working with Bill for many years and have benefited personally from his wisdom, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and his passion to improve the health of patients everywhere. In addition, his remarkable track record of developing and nurturing talented leaders across our company will leave a legacy that will benefit us, and patients, for many years to come.”

Dr. Hait joined Johnson & Johnson to launch what became the Company’s Innovative Medicine Oncology Therapeutic Area, serving as its first Global Therapeutic Area Head from 2009 to 2011. Under his leadership as Global Head of Innovative Medicine R&D from 2011 – 2018, and more recently as Interim Head between 2022 – 2023, the Company’s Innovative Medicine sector launched more than 20 new products, including DARZALEX (daratumumab), ERLEADA (apalutamide), IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib), SPRAVATO (esketamine), TREMFYA (guselkumab), and ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate), transforming the lives of millions of people.

Prior to Johnson & Johnson, Bill was the founding director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. He also served as Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Associate Dean for Oncology Programs at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Previously, he was the Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and earned an M.D. and Ph.D., cum laude, from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

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