Drew was recently named CEO of Primrose Bio, a San Diego-based biotechnology company helping the biopharma industry overcome manufacturing challenges and bring once-thought-impossible medicines to life for patients in need. Before joining Primrose, Drew served as President of Nucleic Acid Production at Maravai LifeSciences and led several global divisions at Thermo Fisher Scientific, including Patheon Softgels CDMO and European Drug Product CDMO. His career reflects a consistent focus on bridging scientific innovation and scalable manufacturing to make complex therapies more accessible.
Drew credits his Yale education with shaping his analytical approach to business development, his interest in the opportunities afforded by scientific advancements, and his approach to team development and accessing global innovation and opportunity. He remains passionate about mentoring teams and advancing technologies that expand access to vaccines and life-changing medicines.
Why Yale?
I chose Yale because it combined intellectual rigor with a sense of openness. It was a place where curiosity was valued as much as answers, and that open-minded, intellectually curious mindset has stayed with me ever since.
What is your most enduring memory of your time at Yale?
The friendships and late-night conversations that stretched from philosophy and science to politics and business and what we wanted to do in the world. Those talks exposed me to a much broader collection of perspectives and ideas and shaped how I think about leadership and collaboration today.
What is the biggest lesson you learned during your time at Yale and how does that shape who you are today?
That complex problems rarely have simple solutions, but they can be solved by thoughtful, motivated people working together, and that teams can accomplish things that none of their members could accomplish alone. That belief is the foundation of how I lead teams in science and business.
How did your time at Yale shape your identity?
Yale taught me to connect analytical thinking with purpose. It gave me confidence that team leadership and science can work hand in hand to make a real difference. And also, the belief that anything is possible, especially if you can enlist help from others who bring complementary skillsets and perspectives.
What does belonging mean to you and how did you find a sense of belonging at Yale and after?
It was a real privilege to be welcomed into this community, and to be exposed to the rich history and the leading academic advances underway. And this is doubly true as the financial aid made it possible to attend and made a huge difference for me. Belonging came from being part of a community that cared about ideas and about each other. I have found that same spirit in the teams I have led, people united by curiosity and shared goals.
How have you stayed engaged with the Yale community since graduating?
Through lasting friendships and through mentoring. I have also done quite a few applicant interviews. I enjoy helping students and early-career professionals navigate their education and the intersection with science, innovation, and business.
What advice do you wish you heard during your time at Yale?
Do not try to plan every step. There is no right path or wrong path – you get to choose the path for you. The most meaningful opportunities often appear when you stay open, keep learning, and say yes to hard problems.
What were your favorite spaces at Yale or in New Haven? Why?
The dining halls. That’s where the structure (however permissive) of an academic course came off, any idea could be explored, and also where the friendships were built.
What aspects of Yale do you feel like you talk about most often to people who didn’t go to school here? Why?
The people. Yale brought together individuals with very different backgrounds and ideas and skills, yet everyone shared a sense of purpose and optimism. That is something I still look for in every team I build.
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