The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution, today announced that John C. Ryan has been appointed as the Laboratory’s new general counsel.
Beginning his new role in March, Ryan will provide leadership and direction for all legal affairs of JAX, including managing the legal department. While serving as the senior executive officer responsible for ensuring that the Laboratory’s activities meet all legal and regulatory requirements, he will also facilitate commercial transactions, licensing, spin-offs, sponsored research agreements and other strategies to aid in commercializing the Laboratory’s intellectual property. Ryan will also serve as the organization’s corporate secretary.
“John has over 20 years of broad experience supporting organizations with new opportunities and helping them deal with the complexities of today’s world. Throughout his career, he has built strong legal teams who work as effective partners with their network of colleagues throughout an organization,” said JAX Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Charles Hewett, Ph.D. “His experience and skills will be valuable assets as we continue to grow The Jackson Laboratory and advance our work to discover tomorrow’s cures for the most complex human diseases.”
Prior to joining JAX, Ryan was president and CEO and a member of the board of directors of Unilife Corporation, a development stage medical device company, after serving as the Company’s senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Ryan was previously a partner at the Duane Morris law firm and held senior roles for eight years at Aramark Corporation, a food and facilities service provider, including senior vice president and deputy general counsel.
Ryan began his legal career as an assistant district attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and New York University.He is a member of the board of directors of Life Sciences Pennsylvania and a trustee of the Friends Select School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.