Ms. Vaczy is a senior business executive and counsel with over 20 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology industry. Since 2005, she has served as vice president and general counsel of New York City-based NeoStem, Inc., a leader in the emerging cellular therapy industry. From 1997 to 2003, she held senior positions at ImClone Systems Incorporated, a publicly traded company developing a portfolio of targeted biologic treatments to address the medical needs of patients with a variety of cancers, most recently as its vice president, legal, and associate general counsel. While at ImClone, Ms. Vaczy served as a key advisor in the day-to-day operation of the company and helped forge a number of important strategic alliances, including a $1 billion co-development agreement for Erbitux®, the company’s targeted therapy approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal and head and neck cancers. ImClone was acquired by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) in 2006.
From 1988 through 1996, Ms. Vaczy served as a corporate attorney advising clients in the life science and technology sectors at the New York City law firm of Ross and Hardies. Ms. Vaczy serves on the board of trustees of The Stem for Life Foundation where she also oversees the Foundation’s Student Ambassador Program. She is a member of The Union League Club of New York and serves on its art committee. Ms. Vaczy received a B.A. degree from Boston College and a J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law, Queens, New York.