Evotec Taps Novo Nordisk Executive Joanna Holbrook as Science Chief

Holbrook joins the firm from Novo Nordisk, where she previously served as Head of in vitro Discovery Platforms and Therapy Area Head for cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic disease. Her career includes executive stints at biotech firms such as Biomodal and BenevolentAI, alongside academic tenures at the University of Southampton and the National University of Singapore. She began her professional journey at GSK, building a foundation in bioinformatics and molecular cell biology.

At Evotec, Holbrook will focus on integrating artificial intelligence and multi-modal omics to accelerate drug discovery timelines. CEO Dr. Christian Wojczewski noted that her background in data-driven research aligns with the company’s push to refine its development platforms and maintain its competitive edge in precision medicine. Holbrook stated her intent to leverage the company’s broad scientific capabilities to build integrated solutions for complex R&D challenges.