Independent Non-Executive Director & Senior Advisor

Prof. Dr. med.
Hans-Juergen Woerle

Biotech · Cardio-Metabolic Medicine · Obesity · Type 1 Diabetes · Microbiome

Turning scientific conviction into regulatory and commercial outcomes.

Board-level scientific, clinical and regulatory advice for biotech CEOs, boards and investors at asset-defining inflection points.

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Prof. Dr. med. Hans-Juergen Woerle
280+
peer-reviewed publications
h-index 92
citation impact
12
patents
50
scientific & clinical diligences
10
global registrations and launches
3
FDA firsts

Mandate Fit

The right fit for the right mandate

Best fit

  • Biotech companies at clinical, regulatory or financing inflection points
  • Boards requiring independent scientific, clinical or regulatory judgement
  • CEOs, CMOs, CSOs and investors making asset-defining decisions
  • Companies active in cardio-metabolic medicine, obesity, diabetes, renal disease, inflammation, microbiome therapeutics and rare disease

Not the focus

  • Generic management consulting
  • High-volume advisory work
  • Short superficial reviews without clear scientific or strategic decision relevance

Services

Where I add the most value

Asset diligence

Mechanistic, clinical and regulatory assessment before licensing, financing or acquisition.

Clinical development strategy

Trial design, endpoint strategy and evidence generation from early development to pivotal readout.

Regulatory & AdCom strategy

Preparation for FDA, EMA and advisory committee interactions where the label matters.

Board & CEO advisory

Independent scientific and clinical judgement for strategic company, asset and portfolio decisions.

R&D portfolio prioritisation

Assessment of scientific credibility, clinical value, evidence requirements and investment priority.

Scientific positioning

Translation of complex science into credible investor, partner and board-level narratives.

Selectively available for NED and advisory mandates.

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Track Record

Twenty years building evidence-based programmes

Nestlé Health Science 2017–2024

Built and scaled evidence-based R&D platforms

As Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, led scientific, medical and regulatory strategy across a multi-billion-dollar evidence-based portfolio. Oversaw the clinical and regulatory programme for Aimmune / Palforzia (first FDA-approved peanut allergy treatment) and Seres / Vowst (first FDA-approved oral microbiome therapeutic). Conducted more than 50 scientific and clinical due diligences. Led global R&D integrations across acquisitions and partnerships.

Boehringer Ingelheim 2007–2017

Headed Boehringer Ingelheim’s entire cardio-renal-metabolic franchise

As Global Vice President Medicine for Cardio-Renal-Metabolism, built and ran the entire franchise behind blockbusters such as Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Trajenta (linagliptin). The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial was the first cardiovascular outcomes trial in diabetes to demonstrate a mortality benefit, establishing the first CV-mortality claim for an SGLT2 inhibitor, and was defended personally at FDA advisory committee hearings. He also argued the clinical value of both medicines in person before Germany’s Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), one of the world’s toughest pricing and reimbursement authorities. Few in Europe match this command of the global cardiovascular medicines market and its clinical development pathways.

Academic & Clinical Foundation LMU Munich · Rochester · Lausanne

Physician-scientist foundation in endocrinology and metabolism

Trained as a physician-scientist in endocrinology, diabetes and renal metabolism at LMU Munich, the University of Rochester and the University of Lausanne. Published more than 280 peer-reviewed papers with an h-index of 92. Conducted early mechanistic and clinical research in GLP-1, SGLT2 and metabolic disease that underpinned later programme development. Received Habilitation from LMU Munich in 2008.

Selective Current Mandates

Where I am currently engaged

DiogenX

Senior Advisor to the Board and CEO

First-in-class beta-cell regeneration therapy in Type 1 Diabetes.

NodThera

Senior Advisor to the executive team

NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition at a Phase 2/3 clinical-development inflection point.

Companies we currently advise

Cardiometabolic disease GLP-1 / incretins Obesity Type 1 diabetes HFpEF / HFrEF Cardio-renal cross-talk CKD Rare kidney disease Inflammation Microbiome therapeutics

Endorsements

What colleagues say

"A rare combination of medical and business judgement, integrity, and a distinctive talent for developing others. He has left a lasting mark on NHSc and decisively strengthened its reputation as a leader in evidence-based nutrition and medical innovation."

Greg Behar CEO, Nestlé Health Science

"A unique combination of scientific rigour, strategic vision and the proven ability to bridge academia, clinical medicine and global industry. My highest recommendation for any senior leadership role in academia, industry or public health."

Contact

Get in touch

For board, advisory or investor diligence mandates, please contact directly.

Prof. Dr. med. Hans-Juergen Woerle

HJW Consulting Sàrl

Chemin des Colombaires 7
1096 Cully
Switzerland
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