Governance Fundamentals
The foundational knowledge that generic governance resources don't teach
The Board Chair and Lead Independent Director in a Clinical-Stage Biopharma
Who runs the board is the most underexamined governance question in a clinical-stage biopharma. The standard answers borrowed from large-cap governance do not fit a five-seat board. What the chair role actually requires, why the default arrangement usually fails, and how the structure should evolve as the company matures.
Board Committees in a Five-Seat Biopharma
The standard four-committee architecture borrowed from large-cap boards does not fit a clinical-stage company with three independent directors. What committees actually need to exist, what work belongs to the full board, and the design choices that matter before an IPO or transaction.
The Unwritten Rules of Effective Biopharma Boards
Everything you need to know about how high-functioning biopharma boards actually operate — the norms, habits, and expectations that governance manuals never teach you.
Why Biopharma Board Governance Is Fundamentally Different
Generic corporate governance training does not prepare you for the realities of a clinical-stage biopharma board. Here is what actually differs and why it matters.
Board Composition Strategy When You Only Have Five Seats
A large-cap board can spread expertise across twelve directors. A clinical-stage biopharma board has five, maybe seven. Every seat is a strategic decision with governance consequences.
Fiduciary Duties in a Clinical-Stage Context
What duty of care and duty of loyalty actually mean when the company has no revenue, survival depends on trial outcomes, and every major decision carries existential risk.
The First 90 Days on a Biopharma Board
A practical orientation guide for new board members joining a clinical-stage biopharma company for the first time. What to learn, who to meet, and what to focus on before your first major vote.