Murray McKinnon

Murray McKinnon is Chief Scientific Officer of Pioneering Medicines, where he leads a portfolio of groundbreaking medicines sourced from the broad spectrum of scientific platforms within Flagship’s ecosystem of companies. He is also focused on building the research capability within Pioneering Medicines and providing strategic leadership and oversight to all research programs to ensure the development of innovative, efficient, and safe medicines that address significant patient needs.

Murray has more than 35 years of experience in drug discovery and early development, with a track record of translating scientific discoveries into breakthrough medicines, including the delivery of 30 clinical candidates across multiple therapeutic modalities and disease areas.

Before joining Flagship, Murray served as CSO at Empress Therapeutics for more than two years. Previously, he was the Global Head of Janssen's World Without Disease Accelerator (WWDA), an agile, entrepreneurial group within Johnson & Johnson that partnered internally and externally to propel science into disruptive solutions that prevent, intercept, and cure disease. Prior to that role, Murray directed Janssen’s drug discovery efforts in Immunology, driving both biologic and pharmaceutical-based treatment approaches for immune and inflammatory diseases. Earlier in his career, Murray spent eight years at BMS in the Immunology discovery organization and 15 years at Glaxo Wellcome in respiratory diseases.

Murray has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and four reviews. He holds a B.Sc. Honors degree in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow and earned his Ph.D. from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London.