Jaap Venema named Chief Science Officer of USP

The United Stated Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has named Jaap Venema as the Chief Science Officer, beginning on April 15, and Chair of USP’s standards-setting body, the Council of Experts, at the beginning of USP’s next five-year cycle on July 1, 2015.

Venema recently was the Therapeutic Area Lead for Biotherapeutics, in Global Medical Affairs and Biologics Strategy Development at Abbvie (formerly Abbott Laboratories), where he provided scientific and medical leadership on key aspects of biotherapeutics across all therapeutic areas, including biosimilars and immunogenicity. In this role, Venema had global oversight for Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. His 15-year tenure at Abbot and Solvay (acquired by Abbott in 2010) included leadership roles in immunology medical affairs, international medical development, vaccines development, and exploratory target biology.

Venema earned his PhD at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. He also served on the faculty of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Free University Amsterdam), the Netherlands.

In his new role at the USP, Venema will report to the CEO and serve as a member of USP’s executive team. He will provide overall leadership for USP’s scientific and standards-setting activities and will have management responsibility for a staff of more than 150 worldwide. Venema will work closely with scientific staff at USP’s global laboratory operations in Rockville, Maryland; Hyderabad, India; Shanghai, China; and São Paulo, Brazil; and USP locations in Ghana, Switzerland, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

Retiring CSO V. Srini Srinivasan, PhD, served USP in many capacities over a distinguished career of more than 30 years. “Dr. Srini,” as he is affectionately known to USP staff worldwide, led USP’s scientific efforts during an important time in the organization’s growth, particularly in the establishment of USP’s sites in India, China, and Brazil, as well as the development of USP’s global activities in drugs, food ingredients, and dietary supplements. He served in many roles during his time at USP, culminating in becoming the Chief Science Officer in 2012. Dr. Srini’s last day at USP will be May 1, 2015.