PATH welcomes Dr. Dennis Schmatz to its board of directors

PATH's board of directors has voted to appoint Dennis Schmatz, PhD, to the board. Dr. Schmatz broadens the board's expertise in drug development, program management, and global health initiatives.

"Dennis Schmatz is an internationally respected leader in pharmaceutical research, with extensive experience in global health and managing large research teams," said Dean Allen, chair of PATH's board of directors. "His knowledge will be invaluable as PATH continues to address ongoing and emerging challenges in global health."

Dr. Schmatz has more than 35 years of experience in pharmaceutical research. He has a proven track record managing large research teams across diverse therapeutic areas, where he has successfully delivered pipeline compounds in infectious diseases, oncology, and diabetes. For 30 years, Schmatz served in progressively higher management positions at Merck & Co. Inc., where he was vice president of Infectious Disease Research and Animal Health for more than a decade and managed international research programs as the Merck Research Site head in Japan. He was also responsible for pharmaceutical research programs located in the United States, Spain, and Canada.

Dr. Schmatz has extensive experience with international research collaborations and policy development teams. He has been an active participant in global health initiatives for over 30 years, working the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Global Health Innovation Technology (GHIT) Fund, and other nonprofit organizations. In 2010, he served as the interim CEO of MMV at the request of the MMV board during their CEO search. He currently serves as the chairman of the board and president of MMV North America and chairs the MMV Scientific Board.

For the past seven years since leaving Merck, Dr. Schmatz has consulted to pharma, biotech, and nonprofit clients, focusing on drug discovery and development.

Dr. Schmatz's significant scientific contributions include the discovery of new biochemical pathways and drug targets, new natural antimicrobial products, and several approved drugs, including Cancidas®, an antifungal agent for treating serious life-threatening hospital infections, and Invanz®, an antibiotic for moderate-to-severe infections.

Dr. Schmatz obtained his BS, MS, and PhD degrees at Rutgers University — New Brunswick, majoring in biology and biochemistry.