Bhooshi de Silva leads the strategic capital function for the Thermo Fisher organization and serves as global head of corporate development, strategy and ventures for the company’s PPD clinical research business.
In his role as the head of strategic capital for Thermo Fisher, Bhooshi leads an enterprise-wide group that has the mandate to invest and manage a portfolio of direct venture investments and fund investments. He came to Thermo Fisher through the acquisition of the PPD business in 2021. He had joined the PPD business in 2014 as senior vice president of corporate development and strategy, with responsibilities in mergers and acquisitions and partnerships. In addition to corporate development and strategy, Bhooshi also leads the enterprise data functions and manages venture partnerships in his clinical research business role. He collaborates with the clinical research senior leadership team on key strategic initiatives, leads data and disruptive innovation priorities, and plays a key role in driving the business’ evolution and growth.
Upon joining the clinical research business, Bhooshi brought 15 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, including serving in several leadership positions. He started his career at Pfizer, where his roles included R&D portfolio management, U.S. commercial development, and U.S. customer strategy and negotiations. In 2009, Bhooshi was named vice president of business development evaluation and strategy, leading a team in the evaluation of licensing, acquisitions and corporate strategic initiatives for Pfizer. Later, he served as head of corporate development, corporate strategy and head of international at Optimer Pharmaceuticals. Bhooshi played an integral role in the commercialization strategy and Optimer’s sale to Cubist Pharmaceuticals in 2013. He has an impressive track record of achievement in corporate strategic initiatives and M&A transactions on both the buy and sell sides. He also serves on the boards of several of the company’s strategic investments, including PPD-SNBL and Science 37.
Bhooshi holds degrees in finance, economics and engineering from Stanford University, London School of Economics and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London.