Dan Wattier is a serial biotech entrepreneur and Strategic Advisor to Genome BC’s I² Fund, where he supports early-stage ventures in translating cutting-edge science into commercially meaningful companies.

Dan brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the biotech and health sectors, with deep expertise in company creation, product development, and strategic transactions. He was the founding CEO of Valocor Therapeutics, a dermatology-focused biotech that formed the foundation of Dermira (NASDAQ: DERM) and led the company through its early growth trajectory. Dermira was later acquired by Eli Lilly for $1.1 billion.

Earlier in his career, Dan played a key role in the U.S. launch of Remicade® (infliximab), which became Johnson & Johnson’s top-selling product, generating over $10 billion annually. He also held corporate development and strategy roles at QLT, one of British Columbia’s original biotech success stories.

In addition to his work with the I² Fund, Dan is an Associate and Mentor with the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), where he advises science-based ventures on commercialization strategy and company building. He has previously served as Chair of BIOTECanada’s Emerging Company Advisory Board (ECAB), as a board member of BIOTECanada, and on the selection committee for the federally funded Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI).