Stephen Sands
Stephen has had a 35+ year career providing strategic and financial advice to C-suite executives and boards at leading global biopharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare companies as the former Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Chairman of Global Healthcare at Lazard (NYSE: LAZ). At Lazard, he has advised clients on over 180 M&A transactions and 130 financings, totaling over half a trillion dollars, including many innovative, landscape-defining and cross border deals. Prior to joining Lazard, Stephen was a Partner in the healthcare practice of McKinsey & Company. During his career, he has co-founded two life sciences companies: Enzytech (acquired by Alkermes) and Opta Food Ingredients (acquired by Stake Technology and now SunOpta).
Stephen has served as director on the boards of several life sciences companies, including National Imaging Associates, Inc. (acquired by Magellan Healthcare), Isogen LLC (acquired by Monsanto), Cognition Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CGTX - Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders - IPOed in 2021), Cytosite Biopharma Inc. (Radiopharmaceutical imaging agents) and Cyteir Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYT - Oncology therapies - liquidated and returned capital to shareholders in 2024). He is currently a director of Bicycle Therapeutics PLC (NASDAQ: BCYC - Precision therapeutics) and Recordati SpA (REC.MIL - Global pharmaceutical company).
Stephen has been a frequent keynote speaker and panelist on trends in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare sectors at prominent industry events. He is a member of the Rockefeller University Counsel and Washington University (St. Louis) School of Engineering & Applied Science National Counsel, National Campaign Committee and New York Regional Cabinet. He previously served as a trustee, member of the executive committee and co-chair of the nominating and governance committee of the New York Hall of Science, and the Rand Corporation Health Board of Advisors.
In 2008, he received the New York Biotechnology Association's inaugural The Cures Start Here Business Leader of the Year Award. In 2014, he was recognized with a Washington University (St. Louis) Engineering Alumni Achievement Award. In 2019, he was honored with a Washington University (St. Louis) Distinguished Alumni Award.
Stephen earned a B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College, a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA in Finance from New York University.
