Jason Ekert PhD, MBA

Dr. Jason Ekert is an accomplished biomedical scientist and translational research leader with deep expertise in neuromuscular biology, complex in vitro model systems, and drug discovery. He currently serves as Head of the US Neuromuscular Focus Area and Translational Biology at UCB, where he leads strategic scientific initiatives to advance translational research in neuromuscular diseases and support drug discovery efforts.

Dr. Ekert’s research career spans both industry and translational science. Before joining UCB, he held senior leadership roles in pharmaceutical research and development. At GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), he was Senior Director, GSK Fellow, and Head of the Complex In Vitro Models (CIVM) group, where he developed enterprise-wide strategies for deploying human-relevant in vitro systems — including spheroids, organoids, and microphysiological platforms — to improve translational predictivity in drug discovery programs.

Earlier industry experience includes a role at Janssen BioTherapeutics, where Dr. Ekert contributed to biologics research and mechanistic studies across therapeutic areas, applying complex cell-based assays to support target discovery and validation efforts.

Dr. Ekert earned his PhD from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Davis, and the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. His multidisciplinary training underpins a strong foundation in translational biology, model development, and pharmacological science.