Michael McPherson

Michael J McPherson is a highly accomplished Senior Principal Research Scientist with extensive experience in drug discovery leadership. Currently leading the Global Biologics team at AbbVie, his mission is to transform the lives of patients suffering from cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders.

With a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry and a postdoctoral fellowship in Chemical Biology, McPherson has co-founded the Immunology ADC (iADC) platform technology at AbbVie, a revolutionary therapeutic approach that combines the specificity of antibodies with potent anti-cancer agents. He has also led multiple small and large molecule programs, resulting in the development and clinical approval of numerous life-changing assets.

Prior to joining AbbVie, McPherson held senior research positions at Abbott and Phylos Inc., where he honed his skills in medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceuticals.

McPherson's expertise lies in in vitro display technologies, such as yeast/phage/mammalian display, that help identify and characterize therapeutic antibodies. He is also passionate about evaluating novel biologic formats, including Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), to support early and late pipeline programs.

Overall, Michael J McPherson is a driven and innovative scientist dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of complex diseases through cutting-edge biologics.