James Rawls, PharmD, appointed EVP and Partner, Chief Regulatory Officer
Angela L. Nelson, MBA, appointed EVP and Partner, Chief Strategy Officer
[January 15, 2025 – Boston, MA] – Boston Biodevelopment LLC (BBd), a premier regulatory affairs consulting firm specializing in Life Sciences, proudly announces the expansion of its executive leadership team with two strategic appointments. Dr. James Rawls, PharmD, joins BBd as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Partner, Chief Regulatory Officer; and Angela L. Nelson, MBA, joins as EVP and Partner, Chief Strategy Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Angela and James to the team at this exciting stage as we celebrate our 15th year in business and look forward,” said Helena Correia, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Biodevelopment. “Together, Angela’s combination of regulatory expertise and experience building and managing top regulatory consulting practices, and James’ unparalleled regulatory leadership and expertise position us to successfully navigate our company’s growth while continuing to provide the premium, high-touch regulatory consulting services that our biopharma clients have come to trust.”
Dr. James Rawls joins BBd from Sumitomo Pharma America (formerly Sunovion) where he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Dr. Rawls has overseen the growth of regulatory teams from six to over 60 professionals, driving product development across various therapeutic areas, particularly in psychiatry and neurology. Notably, under his leadership, novel therapies such as Latuda®, Lonhala Magnair®, Aptiom®, and Kynmobi™ were approved. “I am excited to join the exceptional team at Boston Biodevelopment,” said Dr. Rawls. “I am looking forward to collaborating with this talented group of regulatory professionals to help small and midsize biopharma companies achieve their mission of bringing transformative medicines to patients.”
Ms. Angela Nelson was named one of the “Top 25 Biotech Executives of 2024” by The Healthcare Technology Report. With over 20 years of experience in life sciences consulting, she has managed global regulatory practices, including overseeing the work of over 100 professionals at PPD, a leading contract research organization. Most recently, Ms. Nelson served as Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs at a small biotech developing and commercializing cutting-edge technologies. “I was drawn to BBd’s positioning as a regulatory partner to biopharma companies developing novel therapies,” said Ms. Nelson. “I’m excited to help shape the company’s future and advance its mission of serving the biopharma community with excellence.”
Dr. Rawls holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan. Ms. Nelson earned her MBA from Phoenix University and holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
For More information, contact Michele Gallagher, City by the Sea Communications, michele@citybytheseacomms.com.
About Boston Biodevelopment LLC
Boston Biodevelopment is a leading regulatory strategy consulting firm dedicated to providing regulatory guidance, leadership, and management to small and midsize biopharma companies. With deep regulatory expertise across therapeutic areas and modalities, including advanced therapies, BBd partners with clients to leverage their innovation, optimize regulatory pathways, and help them bring the promise of life science to patients. www.bostonbiodevelopment.com.