Gene Walther's Biography

Gene Walther, Deputy Director, Diagnostics, Discovery, Global Health Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Gene Walther, joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in November 2010 as Deputy Director – Diagnostics. Mr. Walther is responsible for the Foundation’s diagnostics strategy to organize and harmonize cross-Global Health Diagnostics efforts to achieve maximum impact. Before joining the foundation, Walther worked in the Venture Capital industry with Bay City Capital and as Executive Chairman for one of their investment companies, GenturaDx. Walther has over two decades of experience in the health care field. Walther joined Chiron in 2000 and held several senior leadership positions including President of Chiron’s Blood Testing Division prior to the acquisition by Novartis in 2006. Following the acquisition, he was President, Novartis Diagnostics directing global operations for an $800+ million business focused in blood testing and diagnostics. He has held senior leadership positions at Gen-Probe, Abbott Laboratories and American Hospital Supply in the area of global commercial operations. Mr. Walther holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Washington.