Novavax Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Novavax has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, human capital, medical oversight, clinical development, and legal affairs.

Committed to advancing global health through innovative vaccine technology, Novavax delivers life-saving solutions by leveraging proprietary recombinant protein and nanoparticle platforms to combat infectious diseases worldwide.

Leadership Roles at Novavax

  • President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors - John Jacobs
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Ian Watkins
  • Chief Medical Officer - Louis Fries
  • Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Raburn Mallory
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer - Mark Casey
  • John Jacobs - President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors

    John Jacobs, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors at Novavax, directs the overarching corporate strategy and commercialization efforts for the biotechnology firm. Jacobs oversees the integration of recombinant protein technology into global vaccine markets, ensuring alignment between research pipelines and commercial viability. By managing high-level partnerships with pharmaceutical entities like Sanofi, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors secures the financial and operational future of the organization. This leadership role involves constant interaction with the Board to refine long-term goals regarding infectious disease mitigation. John Jacobs drives the expansion of the vaccine portfolio, focusing on respiratory pathogens and emerging health threats. Through rigorous oversight of corporate governance and market positioning, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the competitive edge of the company within the biotechnology sector, ultimately fostering sustainable growth and public health impact.

    Ian Watkins - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Ian Watkins, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Novavax, architects the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies necessary to support complex biotechnology operations. Watkins oversees the cultivation of a high-performance culture, ensuring the workforce possesses the specialized skills required for advanced vaccine research and manufacturing. By aligning human capital initiatives with the broader mission of combating infectious diseases, the Chief Human Resources Officer drives employee engagement and retention across global sites. This leadership role involves collaborating with executive peers to structure compensation, benefits, and professional development programs that attract top-tier scientific talent. Ian Watkins manages the internal infrastructure that supports the company's rapid scaling requirements. Through strategic workforce planning, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the organization maintains the operational agility needed to navigate the competitive landscape of the pharmaceutical industry while upholding rigorous corporate standards.
    Ian Watkins

    Louis Fries - Chief Medical Officer

    Louis Fries, the Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, directs the clinical strategy and medical safety protocols for the entire vaccine pipeline. Fries oversees the rigorous evaluation of recombinant protein and adjuvant technologies, ensuring all clinical trials meet international regulatory standards. By guiding the medical direction of programs targeting COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, the Chief Medical Officer ensures the scientific integrity of the company's therapeutic offerings. This leadership role involves constant communication with global health authorities to facilitate the approval and distribution of vaccines. Louis Fries manages the medical affairs team, providing the clinical expertise required to translate complex research into actionable public health solutions. Through the oversight of safety data and efficacy studies, the Chief Medical Officer supports the successful commercialization of products, ultimately ensuring that the biotechnology firm delivers safe, effective, and reliable medical interventions to populations across diverse geographic markets.

    Raburn Mallory - Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer

    Raburn Mallory, the Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, executes the operational design and implementation of clinical trials for the company's vaccine candidates. Mallory oversees the transition of research from laboratory settings into human testing, ensuring that clinical development timelines align with corporate objectives. By managing the day-to-day execution of trial protocols, the Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer ensures data quality and regulatory compliance across all phases of development. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Chief Medical Officer to refine trial methodologies and optimize patient recruitment strategies. Raburn Mallory drives the clinical progress of the pipeline, focusing on malaria, shingles, and other infectious pathogens. Through meticulous management of clinical operations, the Senior Vice President ensures the company maintains a robust and efficient path toward regulatory submission and market entry.
    Mark Casey, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at Novavax, directs the legal strategy, intellectual property protection, and corporate compliance frameworks for the biotechnology firm. Casey oversees the negotiation of complex licensing and collaboration agreements with global pharmaceutical partners, ensuring the company's proprietary nanoparticle and adjuvant technologies remain secure. By managing litigation risks and regulatory filings, the Chief Legal Officer ensures the organization operates within the legal boundaries of international health markets. This leadership role involves advising the Board and executive team on governance matters and strategic transactions. Mark Casey drives the protection of the company's patent portfolio, which is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage in the vaccine industry. Through the oversight of legal operations, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer supports the company's mission by mitigating risk and facilitating the smooth execution of commercial and research-based partnerships worldwide.
    Mark Casey

    Explore Leadership Teams in Business Services

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Novavax Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Novavax?
    Novavax is led by John Jacobs (President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors), along with executives such as Ian Watkins (Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer) and Louis Fries (Chief Medical Officer).
    Who is part of Novavax’s executive team?
    The executive team of Novavax includes leaders such as John Jacobs (President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors), Ian Watkins (Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer), Louis Fries (Chief Medical Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Novavax have?
    Novavax has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Novavax’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Novavax includes roles such as President, Chief Executive Officer & Member of The Board of Directors, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer.