About

Stephen Diamond is the founder and CEO of SPD Advisors, which advises pre-IPO biotech and life science companies on business development, financing and corporate strategy.

​

Before founding SPD Advisors, Stephen led business development, financing and strategy for Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc, a multinational Nasdaq-listed biotech company, while also serving as its general counsel.

​

Stephen previously spent 12 years at Pfizer Inc. in a series of increasingly senior roles leading legal support for many of its largest and most complex strategic transactions, and was chief counsel to its Tax and Treasury groups.

​

His past transactions include:

​​​

• Sale of Corstasis Therapeutics Inc. for up to $255 million and future royalties to Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (2025-26)

• Lexeo Therapeutics Inc.’s strategic investment from Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. and collaboration partnership (2023)

• Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc’s $25 million sale of its CMC-focused German subsidiary to Ascend Cell and Gene Therapies Ltd. (2022-23)

• Pfizer’s first-ever $1.25 billion 10-year sustainability bond for social and environmental impact (2020)

• Pfizer’s $24 billion tax-free spin off and combination of its Upjohn Business with Mylan N.V. to form Viatris Inc. (2018-20)

• Pfizer’s acquisition of gene therapy pioneer Bamboo Therapeutics for up to $688 million (2016)

• Pfizer’s $5.2 billion acquisition of Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2016)

• Pfizer’s agreed $160 billion combination with Allergan plc (announced 2015, mutually terminated in 2016)

• Pfizer’s acquisition of Treerly Health Co., Ltd. from China’s Sirio Pharma Co. Ltd. (2015-16)

• Pfizer’s $17 billion acquisition of Hospira, Inc. (2015)

• Pfizer’s proposed US$115 billion acquisition of AstraZeneca plc (2014)

• Pfizer’s acquisition of Polocard from Poland’s ZF Polpharma SA (2013)

• Pfizer’s $15 billion IPO and split of its Animal Health business into Zoetis Inc. (2013)

• Pfizer’s $12 billion sale of its Nutrition business to Nestlé S.A. (2012)

• Pfizer’s $2.4 billion sale of its Capsugel business to KKR & Co. (2011)

• Pfizer’s acquisition of Ferrosan Consumer Health from Altor Equity Partners (2011)

• Pfizer’s global tax restructuring following its $68 billion acquisition of Wyeth (2009-10)

 

Stephen received a BA in International Relations from New York University and a JD from William & Mary Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review.

​

Stephen is a Trustee of the William & Mary Law School Foundation.