Nerida oversees the EMCA IC portfolio of co-investments and collaborations to construct, prioritize and advance the early external innovation portfolio of Johnson & Johnson. She identifies and accelerates science and technology outside the company in areas of strategic value to consumer health, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, exploring new models to support external R&D collaboration and grow early-stage innovation networks.

Nerida has been an integral part of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation team since 2015. She was Vice President New Ventures & Transactions, and she led a senior team to identify, develop and execute early-stage transactions with diverse partners in the life sciences ecosystem, including academia, venture capital, entrepreneurs, NGOs and governmental organizations.

Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Nerida was Director for Business Development & Licensing and Executive Team member at Vernalis PLC, a UK biotech company with US commercial activities, responsible for transactions from evaluation through negotiation to closing. Before that, Nerida worked of Venki Ramakrishnan. Her experience also includes The Boston Consulting Group in London, where she was a project leader providing strategic counsel to clients on M&A opportunities, R&D, manufacturing and business strategies. 

Nerida has a broad background in operations and commercial activities with over 20 years of diverse business and transaction experience, including acquisitions and divestments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Nerida received her BSc from Sydney University, Austalia, and her PhD in Biochemistry as the Prince of Wales' scholar, Trinity College, Cambridge University, UK. Nerida is a member of the UK BioIndustry Association Board, as well as having a Board position with several Johnson & Johnson entities, and she also represents Johnson & Johnson on the UK Government's Life Science Council as the appointed Industry Innovation lead.