“I’m Glad to Help.”
David Borbas is a respected healthcare and biopharmaceutical executive whose career spans more than three decades of leadership in clinical data management, informatics, regulatory strategy, and operational excellence. Recognized for his ability to bridge the worlds of clinical science, technology, and business strategy, David has consistently helped pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations transform complex clinical information into actionable insights that improve patient outcomes and accelerate the development of innovative therapies. His professional journey reflects an unwavering commitment to quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement, making him a trusted leader for organizations navigating the highly regulated and rapidly evolving life sciences industry.
David’s career began with a foundation in nursing, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania before serving in a variety of critical care environments. His experience as a Registered Nurse provided firsthand exposure to patient care, emergency medicine, and complex healthcare delivery systems. Those early clinical experiences shaped his understanding of the importance of accurate medical data, patient safety, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than leaving clinical practice behind, David carried those lessons forward into healthcare technology and information management, creating a unique professional perspective that continues to distinguish his leadership today.
Recognizing the growing role technology would play in healthcare, David pursued a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University, combining his clinical expertise with advanced business and information systems education. This combination enabled him to successfully transition into healthcare information technology and eventually into the pharmaceutical industry, where he quickly established himself as a leader capable of translating technical complexity into practical business solutions. His ability to understand both the clinical and technological dimensions of drug development has allowed him to serve as a strategic partner across research, clinical operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and executive leadership teams.
Throughout his career, David has held increasingly senior leadership positions with respected organizations including California Pacific Medical Center, SurroMed, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Abcuro. At each organization, he has been entrusted with building high-performing teams, developing scalable operational processes, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and overseeing global clinical data management activities. His leadership has extended across Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials involving therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, rare diseases, pulmonary medicine, renal disease, and gene therapy. Whether leading internal teams or managing complex networks of contract research organizations and technology vendors, David consistently delivers programs that meet demanding regulatory requirements while remaining on schedule and within budget.
As Vice President and Head of Data Management at Abcuro, David provides strategic oversight for global data management and biometrics activities while supporting the company’s clinical development objectives. His responsibilities include managing outsourced clinical partners, ensuring database quality and integrity, supporting statistical analysis planning, overseeing regulatory deliverables, and preparing critical documentation for Biologics License Applications and FDA interactions. His expertise in CDISC standards, SDTM, ADaM, define.xml, electronic data capture technologies, and regulatory submission requirements enables organizations to navigate increasingly complex global regulatory environments with confidence. His leadership ensures that data is not simply collected but transformed into meaningful evidence that supports scientific and business decision-making.
Beyond his corporate leadership responsibilities, David has become widely recognized as an industry thought leader. As an independent consultant, he advised numerous biotechnology companies on regulatory strategy, legacy data conversions, CRO management, FDA submission readiness, and clinical systems implementation. He has authored and refined standard operating procedures, evaluated emerging technologies, supported vendor selection processes, and helped organizations modernize their clinical development infrastructures. His consulting work demonstrates both the depth of his technical expertise and his ability to adapt proven methodologies to organizations of varying sizes, from emerging biotechnology startups to established pharmaceutical companies.
David has also made significant contributions to the advancement of the clinical research profession through education and industry collaboration. He has delivered presentations at respected conferences including CDISC Interchange, PharmaSUG, Cambridge Health Institute, Outsourcing in Clinical Trials, and the Society for Clinical Data Management. His involvement with organizations such as PhUSE, CDISC, and the Bay Area CDISC Network reflects his dedication to advancing industry standards and sharing best practices with peers. His publications and working group participation have helped shape discussions surrounding clinical data standards, regulatory compliance, electronic submissions, and data quality management, reinforcing his reputation as both a practitioner and educator within the life sciences community.
One of David’s greatest strengths is his ability to lead through collaboration. Colleagues recognize him as someone who builds trust across functional disciplines by listening carefully, communicating openly, and encouraging thoughtful problem-solving. His leadership philosophy emphasizes developing people, strengthening organizations, and creating sustainable processes that continue delivering value long after individual projects are completed. Comfortable leading executive discussions, mentoring emerging professionals, or presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences, David demonstrates a leadership style grounded in humility, accountability, and service. His personal motto, “I’m Glad to Help,” reflects not only his approachable personality but also his enduring commitment to supporting colleagues, organizations, and the broader healthcare community.
As he explores opportunities to contribute in the boardroom, David brings an exceptional combination of clinical insight, operational leadership, regulatory expertise, governance awareness, and strategic vision. Having successfully guided organizations through periods of growth, transformation, regulatory complexity, and technological change, he understands how effective governance supports long-term organizational success. His experience working with both emerging biotechnology companies and established pharmaceutical organizations positions him to provide meaningful guidance on innovation, risk management, operational excellence, talent development, and regulatory strategy. David offers boards a practical, collaborative, and forward-thinking perspective shaped by decades of executive leadership at the intersection of science, technology, and business.
Character:
David leads with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. His consistent focus on collaboration, accountability, and ethical decision-making has earned the trust of colleagues, executive teams, and industry partners throughout his career.
Knowledge:
He possesses an exceptional depth of expertise in clinical data management, regulatory submissions, healthcare technology, and pharmaceutical development. His unique blend of nursing, information systems, and executive leadership experience enables him to solve complex challenges from multiple perspectives.
Strategic:
David consistently aligns operational execution with long-term organizational objectives while balancing regulatory, financial, and business priorities. His ability to anticipate challenges, implement scalable processes, and guide organizations through change makes him a valuable strategic advisor.
Communication:
An engaging communicator who translates complex scientific and technical concepts into practical business discussions for diverse audiences. Whether presenting at international conferences, mentoring professionals, or advising executive leadership and boards, he communicates with clarity, confidence, and credibility.
