Leslie Meltzer, PhD

Chief Research & Development Officer

An experienced biopharma leader, Leslie joined Apellis in 2025 with a proven track record of advancing therapies from discovery through regulatory approvals and commercialization. She brings deep expertise in rare disease and cell and gene therapies and has played a key role in the successful launches of seven medicines.

Most recently, Leslie was Chief Medical Officer at Orchard Therapeutics, where she led Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Diagnostics, and Patient Advocacy, and was instrumental in securing global regulatory approvals. Prior to Orchard, Leslie held senior roles at Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Biogen, and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, where she built and led Medical Affairs teams that shaped launch strategies, expanded scientific engagement, and delivered measurable impact.

She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in biology and neuroscience from Brandeis University.