John W. Walsh
Co-Founder, President, and CEO
Alpha-1 Foundation

John Walsh is the co-founder, President, and CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation in Miami, FL. Under his leadership, the organization has become internationally recognized and has invested more than $35 million to support alpha-1 research and research-related projects, including funding grant awards to more than 70 academic institutions in North America and Europe. John is also co-founder and President of AlphaNet, Inc, a not-for-profit disease management services company providing comprehensive care exclusively for individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. AlphaNet, Inc. currently provides services to 2,500 individuals with alpha-1 in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Due to the infrastructure and support provided by the Foundation and AlphaNet, several companies have drugs in development for the treatment of alpha-1. In 2002, John’s contribution to pioneering collaboration in orphan drug development was recognized by the FDA with the Commissioner’s Special Citation. John has an extensive background in business management and government relations and regularly testifies before Congress and advisory groups as a patient advocate.