Jeremy Levin

Jeremy Levin was born in South Africa, where his family had a farm, De Hoek Farm, in Piketberg, Western Cape. His father Archie (died 1977) was a political journalist. His mother, Leah Levin (died 2024), was an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex{{Cite web|url=http://www.essex.ac.uk/honorary_graduates/|title=Honorary Graduates – Honorary Graduates – University of Essex|website=www.essex.ac.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-06-17}} and was appointed OBE for services to international human rights in 2001. She served on the board of the United Nations Association, Anti-Slavery and International Alert, and was director of JUSTICE from 1982 to 1992.{{Cite news|url=https://thoolen.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/leah-levin-a-human-rights-defender-of-the-first-rank/|title=Leah Levin; a human rights defender of the first rank|date=2013-10-07|work=Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US}} Ms. Levin also served on Boards of Redress, Readers International, and the International Journal of Human Rights.{{Cite web|title=Who we are|url=https://redress.org/about-us/who-we-are/|access-date=2021-05-18|language=en}} She is the author of UNESCO's Human Rights: Questions and Answers, one the world's widely disseminated books on human rights.{{Cite web|title=Human rights: questions and answers|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001850/185034e.pdf|access-date=2021-05-18}} He is the brother of David and sister Michal Levin.{{cite news |last1=Martinson |first1=Jane |title=Media anti-mogul who shuns TV and newspapers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/oct/06/broadcasting.pressandpublishing |website=The Guardian |date=6 October 2006 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Ltd. |access-date=28 November 2021}}

After the Sharpeville massacre, Levin's family left South Africa and moved to Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe).{{cn|date=May 2022}} In 1965, his father was given a day to leave the country.{{cn|date=May 2022}} The family arrived in Britain knowing nobody, settling in London. Levin attended Holland Park School,{{cite news |last1=Martinson |first1=Jane |title=Media anti-mogul who shuns TV and newspapers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/oct/06/broadcasting.pressandpublishing |website=The Guardian |date=6 October 2006 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Ltd. |access-date=28 November 2021}} then matriculated at Wadham College, University of Oxford, where he gained a First Class BA Honors degree in zoology, and a Master of Arts (MA) and doctorate (DPhil) in cell biology and chromatin structure from the Oxford University's Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. He subsequently received an MB, BChir degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Cambridge.

Before entering business, Levin practised medicine, working at university hospitals including the Hammersmith Hospital in London, Groote Schuur in Cape Town, South Africa and Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland.

In 1986, Levin came to America, where he has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry. While living in Washington, D.C., Levin met Margery Feldberg, daughter of Stanley Feldberg, co-founder of TJX Companies. They married in September 1987 and have two daughters.{{cite web |last1=Engel |first1=Currie |title='A gift and blessing': New Milford doctor and businessman helps town leaders combat COVID-19 |url=https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/A-gift-and-blessing-New-Milford-doctor-and-16177809.php |website=NewsTimes |date=14 May 2021 |publisher=Hearst Connecticut Media |access-date=28 November 2021}} He has lived in New Milford, Connecticut, since the 1980s, where he and his wife own De Hoek Farm and raise Black Angus cows.{{cite web |last1=Engel |first1=Currie |title='A gift and blessing': New Milford doctor and businessman helps town leaders combat COVID-19 |url=https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/A-gift-and-blessing-New-Milford-doctor-and-16177809.php |website=NewsTimes |date=14 May 2021 |publisher=Hearst Connecticut Media |access-date=28 November 2021}}

Levin is the chairman and CEO of Ovid Therapeutics Inc.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ovidrx.com/press-release/ovid-therapeutics-appoints-dr-jeremy-levin-as-chief-executive-officer|title=Ovid Therapeutics Appoints Dr. Jeremy Levin as Chief Executive Officer {{!}} OvidRx|date=2015-04-16|work=OvidRx|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828184416/http://www.ovidrx.com/press-release/ovid-therapeutics-appoints-dr-jeremy-levin-as-chief-executive-officer|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/04/16/former-teva-ceos-new-gig-at-ovid-therapeutics.html|title=Former Teva CEO's new gig at Ovid Therapeutics|last=Tirrell|first=Meg|date=2015-04-16|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-06-17}}, which is developing targeted small-molecule therapies that seek to reduce seizures with fewer side effects. It is also working on drugs to restore neuronal homeostasis, targeting conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral cavernous malformation.

Before joining Ovid, Levin served as president and CEO of Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA), one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4170124,00.html|title=Jeremy Levin named new Teva CEO|date=2012-02-01|work=Ynetnews|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/|access-date=2021-05-18|website=The Economic Times}} Previously, he was a member of the executive committee of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY), where he had global responsibilities for strategy, alliances and transactions.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bms.com/press-release/jeremy-levin-joins-bristol-myers-squibb-senior-vice-president-external-science-technol|title=Jeremy Levin Joins Bristol-Myers Squibb as Senior Vice President of External Science, Technology and Licensing {{!}} BMS Newsroom|website=news.bms.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-17|archive-date=5 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205170951/http://news.bms.com/press-release/jeremy-levin-joins-bristol-myers-squibb-senior-vice-president-external-science-technol|url-status=dead}} In this role, he devised and led BMY's “String of Pearls” business development strategy. Levin acquired Medarex Inc. in July 2009, turning BMY into a leader in immunooncology.{{Cite news|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/838671-bristol-myers-squibb-the-asset-problem-and-the-string-of-pearls|title=Bristol-Myers Squibb: The Asset Problem And The String Of Pearls|last=N|first=Shankar|date=2012-08-30|work=Seeking Alpha|access-date=2018-06-29|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-01-02/teva-says-jeremy-levin-named-to-succeed-shlomo-yanai-as-ceo|title=Teva's Levin May Boost Branded Drugs as Copaxone Threat Looms|date=2012-01-02|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bms.com/press-release/partnering-news/bristol-myers-squibb-acquire-medarex|title=Bristol-Myers Squibb to Acquire Medarex {{!}} BMS Newsroom|website=news.bms.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-17|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827232532/http://news.bms.com/press-release/partnering-news/bristol-myers-squibb-acquire-medarex|url-status=dead}} Prior to this, Levin was head of global business development and strategic alliances at Novartis (NYSE: NVS), and previously served as chairman and CEO of Cadus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genomeweb.com/rnai/novartis-alnylam-deal-fulfills-long-term-plan-partner-rnai-drug-development|title=For Novartis, Alnylam Deal Fulfills Long-Term Plan to Partner on RNAi Drug Development|work=GenomeWeb|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.secinfo.com/dr4ur.82w6.htm|title=SEC Info – Cadus Corp – 'S-8 POS' on 12/23/97|website=www.secinfo.com|access-date=2018-06-17}}

Levin serves as the chairman of the board of OPTHEA and is on the board of directors at Graviton and Gensaic.https://ir.opthea.com/news-releases/news-release-details/opthea-appoint-dr-jeremy-levin-chairman-board{{cite web | url=https://gravitoncorp.com/company | title=Our Company }}{{cite web | url=https://startupexchange.mit.edu/watch/42823-korea-gensaic | title=4.28.23-Korea-Gensaic | STEX }} Levin was elected chairman of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in 2019; he has since stepped down.{{Cite web|title=BIO Elects Dr. Jeremy Levin as New Board Chair {{!}} BIO|url=https://www.bio.org/press-release/bio-elects-dr-jeremy-levin-new-board-chair|access-date=2021-05-18|website=www.bio.org|language=en}}

Levin frequently speaks at biopharmaceutical conferences about companies' relationships with patients, innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, expanding mergers and acquisitions, globalising the biopharmaceutical industry, and propelling interface of the digital health and biopharmaceutical industries and leaders. In a 2018 speech at the Kellogg-Recanati International Executive MBA Program in Tel Aviv, Levin described how emerging leaders in shape the future of healthcare and technology.{{Cite news|url=http://www.twst.com/interview/10785|title=Jeremy Levin – Physiome Sciences – The Wall Street Transcript|date=2001-10-12|work=The Wall Street Transcript|access-date=2018-06-17|language=en-US}}{{Citation|last=חברת טוגדר|title=Jeremy Levin – full speech at the Kellogg-Recanati International EMBA 2013|date=2013-11-21|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4cDBjiFV_Y|access-date=2018-06-17}} At the Keck Graduate Institute’s (KGI) 25 Years of Innovation Speaker Series, he discussed “the Innovation Symphony” and values that are crucial for the future of biomedical innovation.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n9zrNpApLY | title=Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation Speaker Series: Dr. Jeremy Levin | website=YouTube | date=26 April 2023 }}

Levin wrote the first book on the biotechnology industry's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Biotechnology in the Time of Covid-19: Commentaries from the Front Line.{{cite book | isbn=978-0795352973 | title=Biotechnology in the Time of Covid-19: Commentaries from the Front Line | last1=Levin | first1=Jeremy M. | date=31 May 2020 | publisher=Open Road Integrated Media, Incorporated }} The book includes commentaries from industry leaders about their experiences during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of biotechnology in responding to global health crises.

Levin is a social and political activist. He has been an outspoken advocate for developing and sustaining democracy in the United States, Israel, and other parts of the world. Levin has spoken against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Levin has spoken against Hamas and in relation to its attacks on Israel.

Levin has been an advocate for women's rights, particularly in the healthcare sector. He was involved in the legal battle surrounding mifepristone, a medication used in medical abortions, when the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.{{Cite news |last=Totenberg |first=Nina |date=2024-03-26 |title=A Supreme Court abortion pill case with potential consequences for every other drug |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/26/1240006204/fda-supreme-court-abortion-pill-mifepristone |access-date=2025-05-29 |work=NPR |language=en}}

In 2012, FierceBiotech called him one of the most influential people in biopharma.{{Cite web |date=7 February 2012 |title=Jeremy Levin – The 25 most influential people in biopharma today {{!}} FierceBiotech |url=http://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-reports/25-most-influential-people-biopharma-today/jeremy-levin-25-most-influential-people-b |access-date=2018-06-17 |website=www.fiercebiotech.com |language=en}}

Levin has received awards, including:

• The Kermode Prize for work on novel hypertension drugs{{Cite web|url=http://belsgroup.com/about/bels-advisory-council/|title=British Expats in Life SciencesBritish Expats in Life Sciences {{!}} Strengthening Our United Kingdom of Life Scientists|website=belsgroup.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-17}}
• The Albert Einstein Award for Leadership in Life Sciences{{Cite web|url=http://www.asu.edu/news/stories/200608/20060807_poste.htm|title=ASU Now|website=ASU Now|language=en|access-date=2018-06-17}}
• The B'nai B'rith Award for Distinguished Achievement for commitment to improving global health carehttp://cednc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Life-Science-Conference-2014-Book_FINAL.pdf{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• The Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary[http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k106493&pageid=icb.page693920 2014 - Spring Schedule] {{Archive url|url=https://archive.today/20150424202334/http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k106493&pageid=icb.page693920|date=2015-04-24}}
• Scrip's Lifetime Achievement Award{{cite web | url=https://scrip.citeline.com/SC149400/Scrip-Awards-Lifetime-Achievement-Winner-Jeremy-Levin-Urges-Pharma-To-Put-Humanity-First | title=Scrip Awards Lifetime Achievement Winner Jeremy Levin Urges Pharma to Put Humanity First | date=24 November 2023 }}
• PharmaVoice Red Jacket{{cite web | url=https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/red-jacket-jeremy-levin-ovid-teva/697800/ | title=Red Jacket: Dr. Jeremy Levin, a transformational leader }} and Legacy Leader{{cite web | url=https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/jeremy-m-levin-pv100-legacy-leaders/629262/ | title=Legacy Leaders: Dr. Jeremy Levin }}

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