Brenda J. Hefti, J.D., Ph.D., is Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Exelixis, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a J.D. from Stanford Law School, Dr. Hefti combines deep scientific knowledge with extensive legal expertise in the life sciences sector. Her career spans more than 25 years, marked by leadership in intellectual property, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance. Before joining Exelixis in 2013, Dr. Hefti spent 17 years at Genentech, Inc., rising to Executive Director and Head of Patent and Corporate Alliances Law. There, she spearheaded patent strategies for blockbuster drugs, negotiated multibillion-dollar licensing deals, and supported pivotal mergers and acquisitions, including the landmark Roche acquisition of Genentech. Her contributions were instrumental in safeguarding innovative therapies and fostering strategic partnerships that advanced biotechnology frontiers. At Exelixis, Dr. Hefti oversees global legal operations, intellectual property portfolio management, ethics and compliance programs, and corporate governance. She has played a key role in major achievements, such as securing approvals and launches for CABOMETYX® and COMETRIQ®, expanding collaborations with industry leaders, and navigating complex regulatory environments to drive the company's oncology pipeline forward.