William (Bill) Rich is a highly accomplished Executive Consultant with over 40 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He has built a career distinguished by a proven ability to lead complex, global projects across operations, R&D, and supply chain management. With a passion for driving transformative change in healthcare, Bill has been instrumental in building high-performing organizations and spearheading strategic initiatives that have reshaped industries.

Currently, Bill serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Portal Instruments, a company focused on innovative needle-free drug delivery technologies. Since joining in May 2023, he has been actively involved in advancing solutions to the challenges of self-administering biological medicines. His role is centered on strategic oversight and early-stage investment decisions that position the company for long-term success.

Since 2019, Bill has also led Rich and Associates Consulting as President, leveraging his expertise to advise organizations in the biopharma space. He works closely with C-level executives, guiding organizational design and strategy to optimize performance and achieve critical goals. In addition to his consulting practice, Bill serves as a Special Advisor to the CEO and Advisory Board Member at PBS Biotech, where he provides operations, governance, and financial advice.

Bill’s leadership and vision are deeply rooted in his extensive tenure at Amgen, where he held several executive roles over three decades. Notably, he served as VP of Final Product Technologies, where he led the launch of nine combination products, including wearable drug infusion devices and the first reusable auto-injector. These innovations contributed to significant revenue growth and solidified Amgen’s position as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. His ability to design collaborative models with suppliers, streamline development processes, and improve supply chain reliability resulted in groundbreaking product launches and operational efficiencies.

As VP of External Supply, Bill was responsible for managing contract manufacturing, raw materials supply chain, and global supplier relationships. His creation of the Supplier Relationship Excellence (SRE) program was a key innovation that reduced lost production by 91% and strengthened supplier reliability. In this role, he managed 25 CMOs, covering over 30 plants, and oversaw critical supply chain operations for marketed and clinical products.

Bill’s impact extended internationally as VP of International Supply Chain, where he expanded Amgen’s operational footprint from 48 to over 110 countries, significantly reducing lead times and driving down operational costs by $300 million. His ability to build and manage cross-functional teams, streamline global operations, and successfully lead international expansion efforts has earned him widespread recognition in the industry.

Bill’s academic background includes an MS in Biostatistics from the University of Southern California and a BS in Marine Ecology from McGill University. He also studied Biology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, providing a solid foundation for his career in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Throughout his career, Bill has demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer-focused solutions. His areas of expertise include drug development, clinical trials design, regulatory affairs, and commercialization. His skill set spans a broad range of functions, including cross-functional team leadership, strategic planning, early-stage investment, and technology transfer. He has been endorsed by colleagues and industry peers for his knowledge in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and operations management.

In addition to his board roles at Portal Instruments and PBS Biotech, Bill has previously served on the advisory board of the Stevanato Group, where he supported business development and the implementation of drug delivery systems and north America business function. His current board activities include involvement with the Keck Graduate Institute at Claremont Colleges, Portal Instruments, and PBS Biotech, where he continues to contribute his leadership and insights to shape the future of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

With professional exposure in regions including Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the Americas, Bill’s international experience further enhances his ability to navigate global business landscapes.

Bill Rich’s enduring success is grounded in his ability to analyze complex situations quickly, devise solutions with the customer in mind, and drive organizational change that leads to significant results. His personal mission centers on helping others succeed, and he remains passionate about sharing his expertise to help companies grow and become successful.

Character: Bill Rich is a resourceful and results-oriented leader with a deep commitment to helping others succeed. His strong ethical foundation and ability to inspire trust make him a respected figure in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Knowledge: With over 40 years of experience, Bill possesses extensive expertise in drug development, clinical trials, and global operations management. His deep understanding of regulatory affairs, supply chain optimization, and medical devices has been pivotal in leading successful initiatives.

Strategic: Bill excels in analyzing complex challenges and designing forward-thinking strategies that drive growth and innovation. His leadership in global expansion and product development showcases his ability to align organizational goals with long-term industry trends.

Communication: Bill is an effective communicator, skilled at engaging with C-level executives and cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives. His ability to bridge technical details with business priorities ensures clarity and cohesion in strategic decision-making.