January 4, 2024
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is proud to announce alumnus Neal Fowler, B.S. Pharm ‘84, M.B.A. ‘88, as the 2024 Commencement speaker.
“I cannot adequately express my excitement and appreciation in being asked to deliver the spring commencement address,” said Fowler. “The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy laid the groundwork for my career in life science. It will be an honor to be a part of a special weekend for these remarkable graduates.”
As a double Tar Heel and Raleigh native, his love for Carolina runs deep, and he has been one of the School’s most active volunteers. Fowler previously served as the chair of the pharmacy foundation board of directors and currently serves on the board. In 2011 he was the recipient of the UNC Pharmacy Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award.
Fowler is the CEO of Pathalys Pharma, Inc., a clinical biopharmaceutical company addressing unmet needs in the management of late-stage chronic kidney disease. He is also an Operating Partner at Catalys Pacific, a venture capital firm based in Tokyo. He previously served as CEO of Liquidia Technologies (NASDAQ), transforming the company from an early-stage research platform into a publicly traded biomedicines company. He also co-founded and served as CEO of Envisia Therapeutics, an ophthalmology therapeutics company. Prior to Liquidia, he worked for seven years with Johnson and Johnson, serving as president of Centocor, Inc., a global multi-billion-dollar subsidiary focused on biomedicines, and president of Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, a company focused on neurological disorders. Fowler started his corporate career with Eli Lilly and Company, working for thirteen years in a variety of sales, marketing and business development roles in both the pharmaceutical and medical device divisions. Prior to business school, Fowler worked as pharmacist and manager for Kerr Drugs. He has also served on several public and not-for-profit boards, including service as past chair of the North Carolina Life Sciences Organization when it was called NCBIO.
The School’s ceremony will be Friday, May 10, at 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Students are also encouraged to join Dean Kashuba for the University’s ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in Kenan Stadium where she will invite all of our graduates to stand and be presented to the chancellor.
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