Walt Johnston is a dynamic and accomplished senior pharmaceutical executive whose career has been marked by transformative leadership, relentless commercial focus, and an unwavering commitment to people, performance, and purpose. With over three decades of experience driving strategy, sales, and marketing at some of the most prestigious pharmaceutical organizations in the world, Johnston has built a legacy of accelerating growth and cultivating top-performing teams across complex and evolving markets.
Most recently, Johnston served as SVP and GM of Sales & Customer Strategy at Sumitomo Pharma America, where he successfully led the transition to a portfolio-based commercial model encompassing Oncology, CNS, Urology and Uterine Fibrosis. Under his leadership, four brands and six national sales teams were expertly integrated and realigned to drive market penetration, profitability, and sustained growth. His ability to lead comprehensive reorganizations, introduce portfolio-wide performance systems, and instill a culture of executional excellence resulted in standout sales performance, including surpassing budget targets for key products like Orgovyx and GEMTESA.
Previously, as Executive Vice President of Commercial at Urovant Sciences, Johnston demonstrated exceptional foresight and agility by building a best-in-class commercial infrastructure and launching GEMTESA amid the global pandemic. The launch became a commercial triumph—achieving 287% of the FY21 budget and garnering PM360’s “Launch of the Year” distinction. Under his leadership, the company grew from fewer than 100 employees to more than 400 by the time of its acquisition, a testament to the strength of his organizational vision and talent strategy. His team’s ability to integrate primary care partnerships, enter international markets, and identify pipeline growth opportunities further exemplified his visionary approach to brand expansion and long-term value creation.
During his decade-plus tenure at Astellas Pharma U.S., Johnston rose through the executive ranks to become Senior Vice President of the Urology Hospital Business Unit. There, he helmed a $2.1B enterprise with over 1,000 field professionals, lead the commercial integration in the US. for a $3B gene therapy acquisition and launched market-leading treatments such as Cresemba, Lexiscan and Myrbetriq. His leadership yielded 60%+ of net sales and nearly 70% of U.S. operating margin—outperforming projections and setting new benchmarks in therapeutic leadership.
Johnston’s earlier years at Pfizer were equally distinguished. As a senior marketing leader on Lipitor, he was instrumental in growing the brand to $6.6B in annual sales, securing its position as the top-selling drug globally. His career ascent—from field sales to finance to marketing—reflects a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical business from every angle.
Beyond the boardroom, Johnston has made notable contributions to industry leadership and advocacy. He served as Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), where he championed life science innovation, patient impact, and economic development. He was elected to a three-year Board of Directors term and honored as Chairman Emeritus for his continued influence and dedication to the organization’s mission.
Walt Johnston holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Business with a minor in Government & Law from Lafayette College. His executive journey is underpinned by values of integrity, trust, and character—traits that have made him not only a successful leader, but also a respected mentor, collaborator, and catalyst for organizational transformation.
Leadership
Walt Johnston exemplifies transformational leadership, having built and led high-performing teams across major pharmaceutical companies while delivering outstanding commercial results. His ability to inspire, empower, and drive alignment has made him a trusted executive for guiding organizations through growth, integration, and strategic evolution.
Character
Rooted in integrity and trust, Walt’s leadership style reflects a deep commitment to ethical decision-making, inclusivity, and organizational transparency. He fosters cultures of respect and accountability, earning the confidence of colleagues, boards, and partners through his authentic and principled approach.
Strategy
Walt is a visionary strategist who has consistently driven portfolio success through bold commercial transformations, market expansion, and innovative product launches. His holistic view of operations and forward-thinking execution enables him to optimize business outcomes across diverse therapeutic areas and global markets.
Knowledge
With extensive experience across global sales, marketing, and commercialization, Walt possesses an exceptional command of the pharmaceutical landscape. His depth of expertise in product lifecycle management, market entry, and cross-functional collaboration positions him as a highly effective and knowledgeable industry leader.
