John F. Coelho joined the board of directors of PaxMedica in May 2022. Dr. Coelho’s career has focused on enterprise medical strategy for global diversified pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with assignments in the U.S., Europe and Asia spanning multiple therapeutic areas. He has served in leadership positions most recently as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for Sanofi in Paris, Global Medical Strategy Leader for Merck and Co in the U.S and Head of Asia based in Singapore, and finally as Global Medical Director at Pfizer Inc.  He currently serves as Senior Advisor, Life Sciences, New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Medical Affairs Leader for MUVON Therapeutics AG, a Swiss-based, clinical-stage biotech developing a novel cell-therapy platform for muscle regeneration.  

Dr. Coelho has led humanitarian efforts making essential medicines and vaccines available for population health programs over health crises and most recently co-led the establishment of the test and contact tracing program for the city of Newark, New Jersey.

He completed his Bachelors in Dental Surgery in Lahore, Pakistan and later a residency at Boston University. Finally, he has completed a Certificate in Enterprise Leadership at Harvard University.