Virgin Herbert

About Virgin Herbert

Herbert W. “Skip” Virgin is an अमेरिकी scientific and business leader with deep expertise in virology, immunology, and drug discovery. His most notable corporate role at Vir Biotechnology, Inc. was Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, a position he assumed in January 2018. He joined Vir from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he served as the Edward Mallinckrodt Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology & Immunology. His career combines distinguished academic research with executive responsibility in biopharmaceutical development, giving him a rare profile that bridges basic science and clinical translation. At Vir Biotechnology, Virgin helped guide the company’s research and early development strategy in serious infectious diseases. Company disclosures indicate that he oversaw discovery and early-stage development programs and helped advance multiple new therapeutic candidates into the clinic over several years. One of the most visible outcomes associated with his tenure was sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody that received emergency use authorization during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also associated with other programs that later received expedited regulatory status for hepatitis delta virus treatment. Before entering industry, Virgin built a prominent academic career centered on infectious disease and host-pathogen biology. At Washington University, his research contributed significantly to understanding the human virome, antiviral immunity, and the molecular interplay between hosts and viruses. He is widely regarded as a leading expert in virology and immunology, known for a science-driven approach to therapeutic innovation. His background reflects a blend of scientific credibility, translational insight, and leadership in high-impact R&D. More recently, he has continued work in biotechnology innovation and AI-enabled drug discovery initiatives.