As Russia continues its unprovoked war on Ukraine, the US life sciences community is united in its total rejection of the criminal actions taken by Vladimir Putin and those who enable him. Nearly 900 chief executive officers, healthcare investors and other industry leaders have pledged “immediate and complete economic disengagement” from Russia, as part of an open letter to pressure Moscow to stop its invasion of Ukraine.

The pledge – shared within days of Russia’s invasion – was authored by Jeremy Levin, D. Phil., MB BChir, chairman and CEO of Ovid Therapeutics, John Maraganore, Ph.D., founding CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and several other U.S. biopharmaceutical leaders, and calls upon members of the global business community – including the European biotechnology community – to cease investment in Russian companies, reject investment from Russian funds, halt collaborations and service agreements, and halt trades in goods (except for critical food and medicines). European leaders interested in signing the pledge may do so here.  

The letter also calls upon business leaders across sectors to take similar actions, urging that we cannot look back and wonder if more could have been done.

In addition, Dr. Levin has joined forces with John Crowley, Chairman of Amicus Therapeutics, and Craig Martin, CEO of Global Genes, to help bring relief to Ukrainian refugees affected by rare diseases. Leaders of rare disease companies are being asked to donate monetary and other resources to support displaced Ukrainian rare disease patients – many of whom are children – to secure access to the specialized care, food and medicines they need. Those interested may fill out this form to indicate resources they are willing and able to commit.