William Hait, global head, external innovation, Johnson & Johnson, has been named the 2019 Dr. Sol J. Barer Award winner for Vision, Innovation and Leadership by BioNJ.
The award, named for the founder and former chairman and CEO of Celgene Corp., recognizes outstanding research and business leaders who have made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the life sciences industry in New Jersey and throughout the world.
Hait, as J&J’s global therapeutic area head for oncology from 2009-11, and as global head, Janssen research and development, from 2011-18, led his teams to launch multiple new medicines transforming the lives of millions of people around the world.
Today, Hait leads the external sourcing and creation of transformational innovation to help Johnson & Johnson achieve its mission to change the trajectory of health for humanity.
Under his stewardship, across the spectrum of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer health, his global team identifies cutting-edge early innovation and disruptive technologies, to realize his vision of creating a “World Without Disease” by eliminating diseases through prevention, interception and cures.
BioNJ CEO and President Debbie Hart said Hait’s efforts made him a natural for the honor.
“As a trained medical oncologist and a globally-recognized expert in translational cancer research, Dr. Hait’s work has touched millions of patients throughout the state and around the world,” Hart said.
“We are elated to honor Dr. Hait for his tireless work on behalf of patients and New Jersey’s growing life sciences ecosystem.”
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Hait was the founding director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. During his 14-year leadership, he led the Institute to receive the National Cancer Institute’s highest designation of Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2002.
Hait, who hails from New Jersey, earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.D. and Ph.D. (pharmacology) from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
Before returning to New Jersey, Hait served on the Yale School of Medicine faculty as the chief of medical oncology and associate director of the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Hait will be honored at BioNJ’s annual dinner Feb. 7.
