James F. Young, Ph.D. Appointed Executive Chairman of TechImmune, Bringing Four Decades of Vaccine Innovation and Leadership to the Fight Against Long COVID
TechImmune, a biotechnology company at the forefront of immune-driven therapies for Long COVID and related conditions, has announced the appointment of James F. Young, Ph.D. as its new Executive Chairman. Dr. Young, a distinguished scientist and biotech executive, brings with him more than four decades of experience spanning vaccine research, immunology, infectious disease therapeutics, and pharmaceutical development. His career trajectory reflects a rare blend of scientific acumen, entrepreneurial vision, and public health impact, making him uniquely positioned to guide TechImmune through its next stage of innovation and clinical advancement.
The appointment marks a pivotal moment in TechImmune’s journey. Founded in 2021, the company is working to address one of the most pressing medical challenges of our time: Long COVID, a complex and debilitating condition affecting millions globally. With no FDA-approved therapies currently available, patients and physicians alike are in urgent need of new treatment options. TechImmune’s mission, supported by its novel immunological platform and robust preclinical data, has already demonstrated promise in addressing the underlying immune dysfunction associated with Long COVID. Now, with Dr. Young stepping into a leadership role, the company is poised to accelerate its program into clinical development and, ultimately, toward patients who need solutions.
A Career Defined by Vaccine Innovation
Dr. Young’s professional journey is marked by transformative contributions to vaccine science. Over more than forty years, he has been directly involved in the conception, development, and commercialization of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies that have changed the trajectory of public health worldwide.
One of his most high-profile contributions came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Dr. Young played a role in the U.S. government’s Operation Warp Speed initiative — the unprecedented public-private effort to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. His expertise and leadership helped shape strategies that enabled rapid progress during one of the most urgent scientific challenges of modern times.
In parallel, Dr. Young served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Novavax from 2011 until March 2025. During his tenure, Novavax emerged as a global leader in vaccine development. The company’s protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, marketed worldwide under the name Nuvaxovid, became the only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine broadly authorized across multiple regions. His guidance during this period helped steer Novavax through both scientific and operational complexities, positioning the company as a trusted player in global vaccine access.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Young served as President of Research and Development at MedImmune, where he oversaw groundbreaking work that led to the development and approval of several landmark products. Among them was FluMist, the world’s first intranasal influenza vaccine, which offered a needle-free option that expanded vaccination coverage. Another was Synagis (palivizumab), the first monoclonal antibody approved for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in infants and high-risk children. Synagis represented a paradigm shift in infectious disease prevention, paving the way for subsequent generations of antibody-based interventions.
These achievements cemented Dr. Young’s reputation as a pioneer in both vaccines and immunotherapies, combining bench science with the translational vision required to bring products to patients.
Recognition and Academic Foundations
Dr. Young’s contributions have been widely recognized across scientific, medical, and humanitarian communities. In 2005, he received the Albert B. Sabin Humanitarian Award, a prestigious honor that acknowledges individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the fight against infectious diseases and the advancement of global public health.
Before his corporate leadership roles, Dr. Young was deeply embedded in both academia and early-stage research. He played a key role in establishing and leading the Department of Molecular Genetics at SmithKline and French Laboratories (a legacy company that later became part of GlaxoSmithKline). This work laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to molecular medicine and vaccine innovation.
He also served as a faculty member at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where he contributed to training the next generation of microbiologists and immunologists. His time in academia not only strengthened his scientific grounding but also instilled in him a passion for mentorship and collaboration, qualities that have carried through his career.
Dr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and General Sciences from Villanova University and earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Guiding TechImmune’s Next Chapter
At TechImmune, Dr. Young’s appointment signals a strong vote of confidence in the company’s mission and scientific approach. TechImmune was formed in 2021 to address the medical urgency of Long COVID, a condition that continues to affect more than 10 million Americans and countless more worldwide. Symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular complications can persist for months or even years, leaving patients without effective treatment options and straining healthcare systems globally.
TechImmune’s therapeutic strategy is rooted in technology developed by Dr. L’bachir BenMohamed, professor at the University of California, Irvine. This joint UCI-TechImmune collaboration has yielded encouraging results in animal models, validating the underlying scientific hypothesis that immune modulation may offer a path forward in treating Long COVID. By addressing the immune system’s dysregulation, TechImmune hopes to develop the first effective, targeted therapy for the condition.
The company is now preparing to advance its lead program into clinical testing, a milestone that will require strategic vision, scientific rigor, and operational expertise. With Dr. Young at the helm as Executive Chairman, TechImmune gains a leader who has successfully guided multiple programs from discovery through to approval and commercialization. His knowledge of regulatory strategy, clinical trial design, and global partnerships will be essential as TechImmune navigates this next stage.
A Shared Commitment to Global Health
Dr. Young’s appointment also underscores TechImmune’s alignment with a broader mission: advancing global health equity. His past work — from vaccine development for pandemic preparedness to the creation of monoclonal antibodies for pediatric respiratory protection — highlights a career-long commitment to ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world access for patients.
This philosophy resonates strongly with TechImmune’s vision. The company recognizes that Long COVID is not only a medical challenge but also a societal and economic one. Millions of patients face reduced quality of life, lost productivity, and ongoing medical expenses due to persistent symptoms. Developing therapies that can address these unmet needs will have far-reaching implications, not just for individual patients but also for public health systems and economies worldwide.
Leadership Transition
In addition to Dr. Young’s appointment, TechImmune announced that Mr. Gavin Herbert, who has provided valuable leadership to the company, will transition into the role of Vice Chairman. His continued involvement ensures continuity and strategic oversight during this exciting phase of growth.
Together, Dr. Young and Mr. Herbert will form a leadership team uniquely equipped to balance scientific innovation with corporate strategy, accelerating TechImmune’s mission of developing transformative immune-based therapies.
The appointment of James F. Young, Ph.D., as Executive Chairman of TechImmune is more than a leadership change; it represents a strategic inflection point for the company. By combining a world-class scientific foundation with the guidance of a veteran in vaccine and therapeutic development, TechImmune is positioning itself at the forefront of the fight against Long COVID and other immune-mediated diseases.
For patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers seeking solutions, this announcement carries a message of hope. For the biotech industry, it is a reminder of the critical role that experienced leadership plays in turning scientific innovation into meaningful therapies. And for Dr. Young himself, it is the continuation of a career defined by an unwavering commitment to improving global health through science and innovation.
As TechImmune prepares to enter the clinic and advance its first therapeutic candidate, the company stands at the threshold of a new era — one shaped by innovation, collaboration, and the leadership of James F. Young, Ph.D.
