Joseph L. Farmer serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at Zenas BioPharma Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel autoimmune disease therapies. With over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Farmer has held senior leadership positions at several prominent biotech firms. Prior to joining Zenas in 2022, he was Chief Business Officer at bluebird bio, where he oversaw global business development, strategic partnerships, and commercialization efforts for gene therapies. His earlier career included key roles at Acceleron Pharma as Vice President of Business Development, driving multiple high-value collaborations and licensing deals, and at Alkermes, where he led corporate development initiatives that advanced novel drug delivery technologies. Farmer's achievements include facilitating over $2 billion in strategic transactions, such as partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies like Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb, which accelerated pipeline development and expanded market access for innovative therapies. His expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and scaling operations has been instrumental in bringing multiple programs from early-stage research to late-stage clinical trials. Recognized for his strategic acumen, Farmer has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences on biopharma commercialization and autoimmune disease innovation. At Zenas BioPharma, Farmer leads day-to-day operations, corporate strategy, and business development, playing a pivotal role in advancing the company's lead asset, obexelimab, a first-in-class therapy targeting B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases. Under his leadership, Zenas has progressed multiple Phase 3 trials and forged key alliances to support global expansion, positioning the company for potential near-term regulatory approvals and commercialization.