Sue Washer

Sue Washer is President and CEO of Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, or AGTC. Ms. Washer is an experienced entrepreneur with an impressive career over the past 32 years, with diverse experiences in the pharmaceutical/biologics industry, including extensive corporate startup experience, research and development expertise as well as significant community and industry association leadership. As founding CEO, Ms. Washer has led AGTC for 17 years, transforming it from a small academic spin-out to a leader in the field with five products in active development. Ms. Washer led AGTC’s successful IPO and secondary financing, raising more than $90 million from public investors; secured investments of more than $91 million from nationally recognized venture capitalists and granting agencies; negotiated and closed on a major collaboration with a top-five biotech company; negotiated numerous licensing deals with academic, governmental and commercial entities; led the company in efficiently completing critical milestones, including five INDs and three early-stage clinical trials; and recruited an experienced management team. Most recently, Ms. Washer led the negotiations with Biogen, resulting in a wide-ranging partnership deal with a $124 million upfront payment. Her experience as a group leader with Abbott’s Diagnostic Division helped hone her skills in bringing new products and technologies from the lab bench into the marketplace. Ms. Washer currently serves on the board of directors of BIO and ARM and is a member of the advisory board for the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. She has a degree in biochemistry from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Florida, where she was one of the first graduates from the Warrington College of Business Entrepreneurship program.