William D. Young is an American chemical engineer and pharmaceutical industry executive known for his pioneering contributions to enable industrial-scale manufacturing based of recombinant proteins starting with Humulin. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Blackstone Life Sciences, a division of the global investment firm Blackstone focused on advancing innovative medicines and technologies.
Young has held several prominent roles throughout his career. He was Chairman of the Board of Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB), a major biotechnology company specializing in neurological and autoimmune disorders. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Monogram Biosciences, a company recognized for its contributions to personalized medicine. He led Monogram from 1999 until its acquisition by LabCorp in 2009.
Earlier in his career, Young spent nearly two decades at Genentech, joining in 1980 and rising to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he oversaw the company’s development, operations, and commercial functions during a formative period in the biotechnology industry. Before Genentech, he worked at Eli Lilly and Company for 14 years.
Young earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University College of Engineering, followed by an MBA from Indiana University. He was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue University. In 1993, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of his pioneering work in the research, development, and manufacturing of recombinant proteins using recombinant DNA technology. [1]
In May 2025, Young participated in the “Making Medicines in America” summit on Capitol Hill, organized by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Purdue University, and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE). The event focused on strengthening the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and promoting AI-driven innovation in drug manufacturing. Young was featured as a panelist alongside leaders from academia, industry, and government.
For leadership in research, development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins using recombinant DNA technology.