James Watson leads business and corporate development for Andreessen Horowitz’s Bio + Health portfolio, advising companies on strategic partnerships and capital raising. He previously held executive and financial leadership roles in venture-backed biotech, most recently at Carmot Therapeutics, after investment-banking, consulting, and Eli Lilly roles.

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James Watson leads business and corporate development for Andreessen Horowitz’s Bio + Health portfolio, advising companies on strategic partnerships and capital raising. He previously held executive and financial leadership roles in venture-backed biotech, most recently at Carmot Therapeutics, after investment-banking, consulting, and Eli Lilly roles.

Career

James Watson holds an MBA, Marketing (1989–1991); Fulbright Scholar from Indiana University and a Bachelor's degree, Economics (1986–1989) from University of Portsmouth.

Board Member at Genesis Therapeutics from 2025-08 to Present
Board Member at Inceptive from 2025-07 to Present
Board Member at Scribe Therapeutics from 2025-07 to Present
Board Member at BioLabs at Rice University from 2025-04 to PresentAdvises early-stage biotechnology companies emerging from Rice University on strategy, financing, and business development.
Operating Partner & Head of Business and Corporate Development, Life Sciences Portfolio at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) from 2023-03 to PresentLeads strategic advisory work for life-sciences portfolio companies across business development, M&A, capital raising, and senior pharmaceutical relationships.
Chief Business Officer at Carmot Therapeutics from 2019-10 to 2023-03Led strategic planning, finance, business development, and corporate development for a metabolic-disease biotechnology company.
Chief Business Officer and President, ICT at Sigilon Therapeutics from 2016 to 2019-07Led business and corporate development, financing, a cell-therapy business unit, and a strategic alliance with Eli Lilly.
Chief Business Officer at Alvine Pharmaceuticals from 2011 to 2015Led corporate development, financing, commercial planning, and intellectual-property management.
Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at Burrill & Company from 2002 to 2011Led investment banking and advised therapeutics companies on partnerships, M&A, and financing.
SVP, Corporate Development and Marketing at Incyte from 2001 to 2002Led corporate development, strategic planning, and commercial functions.
Media appearance

Reality Check: Finding the Right AI Partners to Fuel R&D

Speaker at the 2026 BIO International Convention on selecting AI partners for life-sciences research and development.

convention.bio.org · Open ↗

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