Bradley Watts

Bradley Watts is a cancer survivor, CAR-T therapy recipient, and patient and industry advocate working to expand awareness of and access to advanced cancer therapies. At age 29, Brad was diagnosed with both follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, two forms of lymphoma more commonly diagnosed much later in life. He went on to undergo multiple lines of treatment, including four chemotherapy regimens, two courses of radiation, an autologous stem cell transplant, immunotherapy, excision of malignant lymph nodes, and ultimately CD19 CAR-T therapy, Kymriah, in 2020. Despite the intensity of that treatment journey, his cancer was expected to return after he was given a treatment "drug holiday" around the time of his wedding. More than four years later, Brad continues to have clean scans and remains in remission.

 

That experience shaped Brad's commitment to advocacy and gives him a deeply personal perspective on scientific progress, patient access, clinical development, and the real-world impact of bringing cell therapies to patients. Brad is an active advocate with The Emily Whitehead Foundation and a member of Act for Hope, which works to expand patient access across the healthcare ecosystem. His advocacy focuses on helping bridge the perspectives of patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders.

 

Professionally, Brad is a Vice President at Conner Strong & Buckelew, where he leads business development for the firm's international Life Science & Technology practice, advising biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and advanced therapy companies on insurance and risk management strategies that support innovation, growth, and resilience. His perspective as both a patient and industry professional gives him a distinct advantage in understanding the mission, risks, and business realities of organizations working to bring transformative therapies to patients.