Dr. Heather A. Huet is a visionary biotechnology executive and accomplished research scientist whose extensive career has spanned the entire life cycle of oncology therapeutics—from early discovery to clinical development and commercialization. With a Ph.D. in Virology from Harvard Medical School and a Bachelor of Science with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, Heather’s scientific rigor is matched by her strategic insight and operational excellence. She has served in leadership roles across large pharmaceutical companies, mid-cap firms, and biotech startups, including Takeda Pharmaceuticals, ImmunoGen, Novartis, Biogen, and Unum Therapeutics. In each of these, she has consistently driven organizational transformation, delivered discovery and clinical milestones, and shaped portfolios that are redefining cancer treatment.
Heather is currently a consultant to biotech startups and venture capital firms, where she brings her deep expertise in target selection, translational medicine, and R&D leadership. Her advisory work includes serving on scientific advisory boards and executive teams, guiding early platform feasibility studies, strategic positioning, and talent acquisition. Most recently, she held the role of SVP and Chief Scientific Officer at ImmunoGen, where she led a comprehensive rebuild of the company’s scientific strategy and infrastructure, ultimately integrating the research team into AbbVie following acquisition.
From 2020 to 2023, Heather was Vice President and Head of Portfolio Strategy and R&D Operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit. In this capacity, she led a global team of 60+, stewarded a billion-dollar R&D portfolio of over 30 clinical and discovery-stage assets, and partnered closely with the commercial division to ensure alignment between science and business strategy. She played a key role in the licensing of critical oncology therapies, including fruquintinib and Elahere, and helped define a decade-long vision for Takeda’s cell therapy portfolio.
A key milestone in Heather’s governance experience was her service on the Board of Directors for Gamma Delta Therapeutics (2021–2022), a Takeda-appointed position that lasted until the company’s acquisition. She has been instrumental in forming strategic alliances, leading due diligence efforts, and supporting company-building from both internal and external vantage points. Earlier in her career at Unum Therapeutics, Heather led cross-functional clinical program teams and was central to regulatory strategy and corporate restructuring efforts. As an early employee, she also built Unum’s discovery research team and delivered four successful INDs.
Heather’s scientific contributions are robust and far-reaching. She is a co-author on numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and a named inventor on several patents across multiple therapeutic platforms, including antibody-drug conjugates, T cell therapies, and engineered antibodies. Her research has directly supported pivotal clinical advances and her presentations at major oncology conferences reflect her standing in the field.
Throughout her career, Heather has earned accolades for her leadership and collaboration, including the Illumination Award from Novartis for her work on employee transitions during site closure. She is also deeply committed to mentorship and equity, previously co-chairing Novartis Cambridge’s Women’s Resource Group Mentoring Program.
In every role, Dr. Huet exemplifies the rare blend of scientific depth, organizational leadership, and visionary foresight. She brings transformative impact to any team she joins and continues to shape the future of cancer therapeutics through her relentless pursuit of innovation, operational excellence, and patient-centered science.
Character
Heather Huet exemplifies integrity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, consistently leading with empathy and conviction through complex organizational transformations, high-stakes clinical challenges, and cross-functional team development.
Knowledge
With a Ph.D. in Virology and decades of hands-on experience in oncology drug discovery and development, Heather possesses deep scientific and industry knowledge that spans basic research, clinical translation, regulatory strategy, and corporate governance.
Strategic
Heather has a proven ability to craft and execute long-range visions, from rebuilding scientific portfolios and integrating acquisitions to driving billion-dollar R&D strategy and portfolio decisions across global organizations.
Communication
A trusted advisor and respected executive, Heather communicates with clarity and influence, effectively engaging stakeholders from scientists and regulators to CEOs and Boards to align objectives, drive decisions, and inspire innovation.
