Michael Powell is Executive Partner at Omega Funds, a firm focusing on biotech investments. During his career, Dr. Powell developed 20 products at Syntex Research, Cytel, and Genentech, and another 30 as Managing Partner at Sofinnova Investments. He is the author of 90 papers and books on chemistry, drug delivery, and formulation-related drug development. Dr. Powell is an elected Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. He is past board president of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, a past advisor of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a past strategic advisor of One World Health, and a founding venture advisory board member of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative innovation fund.
Dr. Powell is an adjunct professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Kansas, past editorial board member of J. Pharm. Sci., and a past scientific advisor of the Controlled Release Society. He and his wife Tana are former members of the Parents Council Executive Committee. Dr. Powell earned a doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral studies in bioorganic chemistry at the University of California.