Ken Newport

Ken Newport is a life sciences entrepreneur, executive and experienced corporate director with more than 30 years of leadership experience in biotechnology and health innovation. He is Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Virica Biotech and a member of FACIT’s Investment and Asset Management Committee.

A Chartered Professional Accountant and graduate of the University of Waterloo, Ken began his career in finance before moving into the life sciences sector. He co-founded and served as President of CroMedica Global Inc., helping grow the clinical research organization to 600 employees across 13 international offices before its merger with PRA International. He has also founded or co-founded several biotechnology companies, including Prime Trials and Zelos Therapeutics.

Ken holds the ICD.D designation and has served on more than a dozen corporate and biotechnology boards. His extensive not-for-profit governance experience includes serving as Chair of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and BioCanRx, as well as roles with the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and FACIT. As a Trustee of The Royal, Ken brings expertise in finance, commercialization, research governance, entrepreneurship and strategic growth.