Chief Patient Officer
Laura A. Williams, MD, MPH, is the Chief Patient Officer at Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX), where she champions patient-centric drug development and ensures patient perspectives inform key business decisions, reporting directly to the CEO[[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JicD9Gc4FA)[[3]](https://www.bloodstreammedia.com/gut-matters-discoveries-and-innovations-episodes/patient-advocacy-at-the-heart-a-conversation-with-dr-laura-williams). A physician-scientist with nearly 30 years in pharmaceuticals, she has held leadership roles at Abbott/AbbVie (18 years, leading global clinical programs in general medicine), Myovant Sciences (VP of Clinical Development), and AMAG Pharmaceuticals (SVP and Head of Clinical Development and Biostatistics, overseeing four investigational assets and two marketed products)[[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JicD9Gc4FA)[[2]](https://healcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Board-Biography_Nov-2023-2023-11-25-15_21_2855.pdf). Previously serving as Chief Medical Officer at Ardelyx, she contributed to strategic direction, built medical development teams for IBSRELA® launch, led the FDA Advisory Committee defense for XPHOZAH® (resulting in approval), and managed a ~$30M budget[[2]](https://healcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Board-Biography_Nov-2023-2023-11-25-15_21_2855.pdf). Her career highlights include contributions to eight FDA approvals (e.g., NORVIR®, KALETRA®, ORILISSA®, VYLEESI®, XPHOZAH®)[[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JicD9Gc4FA)[[2]](https://healcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Board-Biography_Nov-2023-2023-11-25-15_21_2855.pdf). She serves on boards including Imara Inc. (2021-2023), NKF Northern California, and upcoming AKF, and received awards like Abbott's Volweiler Society[[2]](https://healcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Board-Biography_Nov-2023-2023-11-25-15_21_2855.pdf). Dr. Williams earned a BS from Mississippi State University, MD from University of Iowa, MPH in Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Fellowship from University of Washington, Internal Medicine Residency and Chief Residency at University of Michigan[[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JicD9Gc4FA)[[2]](https://healcollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Board-Biography_Nov-2023-2023-11-25-15_21_2855.pdf).
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