Allan L Shaw

Allan L. Shaw is a highly regarded biopharma executive and board member with extensive senior global strategic, financial, M&A, operational, capital markets, and governance experience. He is a five-time public company Chief Financial Officer and has served on seven public boards, including chairing four audit committees and three compensation committees. Mr. Shaw has actively participated in the sourcing, development, and commercialization of various drug products in numerous therapeutic areas.
Mr. Shaw is currently involved with a portfolio of healthcare activities. Most recently, he took Syndax Pharmaceuticals public as its Chief Financial Officer and previously served as a Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm, where he led their biopharmaceutical consulting practice. Mr. Shaw's previous experience includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Serono S.A., Portage Biotech Inc., NewLead Holdings Ltd., and Viatel, Inc.
He presently serves on the board of directors of CalciMedica Inc., Evecxia, and the Edith & Carl Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, a non-profit organization where he chairs their finance committee. Mr. Shaw has previously served on the board of directors of Blue Water Vaccines, Vivus, Inc., Akari Therapeutics, Plc., Central New York Biotech Accelerator, NewLead Holdings LTD., Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., and Serono S.A. as an Executive Management Board Member, as well as Viatel Inc.
Mr. Shaw had a monthly column in Life Science Leader magazine entitled “Deeper Dive- A CFO insider’s view of the issues impacting our industry” and currently serves on the magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board. He also makes frequent guest appearances on episodes of the “Business of Biotech Podcast” series, sponsored by Cytiva/ Life Science Leader and produced by Bioprocess Online. Mr. Shaw has also contributed to several corporate governance books.
Mr. Shaw is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York Society of Certified Public Accountants and American College of Corporate Directors’ Group. Mr. Shaw received a B.S. from the State University of New York at Oswego and is a certified public accountant in the State of New York.
Mr. Shaw’s qualifications as a director include his extensive leadership experience as a Chief Financial Officer, his diverse industry background in companies of various sizes, and his broad base of expertise in capital markets, strategy, and operational expertise with a view toward corporate governance, risk management, and leadership.
Allan L Shaw Bio
Outlined below are some of Mr. Shaw’s professional accomplishments:
• Strategy & Leadership: Defined corporate strategy and policy, promoting sound corporate governance across diverse companies, from the third largest global biotechnology company with $2 billion plus in revenues and operations in over 40 countries (three commercial therapeutic areas) to early-stage clinical stage companies.
• Financing & Capital Formation: Closed over $4 billion in public and private financings—including IPOs, secondary offerings, convertible securities, preferred stock, high-yield notes, loan facilities, and vendor leasing—to strengthen capital positions, fueling growth and innovation.
• Business Development, M&A and Licensing: Identified, evaluated, and executed strategic opportunities totaling over $1.2 billion. Led integration activities yielding that generated $50 million in annual savings through streamlined functions, expense reductions, and optimized capital investments. Supported pharmaceutical licensing across multiple therapeutic areas, covering branded products, developmental compounds and intellectual property.
• Value Creation: Drove substantial shareholder value creation as life science practice leader, where I established a new industry vertical and built capabilities through multi-functional teams delivering integrated, cost-effective solutions across the biopharma value chain: strategy, operations, commercial, compliance and transactions. I worked closely with organizations to enhance capital allocation and unlock value, engaging in initiatives such as strategic advisory, product assessment, CMC, cost take-out and expert testimony.
• Public Speaking and Investor Communications: Crafted and communicated strategic corporate messages for NASDAQ, NYSE, and SWX-listed companies, establishing an investor relations strategy to expand the shareholder base, enhance global visibility, and proactively engage investors. Oversaw investor relations to support financing execution and track investor sentiment.
• Operational & Management Focus: Built high-performing teams to drive growth and operational efficiency. Developed human resource plan addressing business challenges, organizational strengths and weaknesses and succession planning. Restructured the finance function of a specialty pharmaceutical company (covering branded and generic dermatology) to strengthen commercial support, foster business partnerships, and enhance decision-making.
• Managing Growth: Key member of the management team responsible for growing revenue from $20 million to $750 million in six years for an international NASDAQ-listed company. Provided strategic direction and leadership in a dynamic environment, establishing corporate business infrastructure, building global finance and accounting teams, introducing sound policies and implementing advanced information technologies.