Nancy Thornberry

Nancy A. Thornberry is the founding CEO and current chair, R&D at Kallyope Inc. in New York City. She previously worked with Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), joining the company in 1979 as a biochemist and retiring from the position of senior vice president and franchise head, diabetes and endocrinology in 2013. In 1992, Thornberry identified the first caspase, Caspase-1/Interleukin-1 converting enzyme (ICE). In 1999, Thornberry initiated Merck's research into dipeptidyl peptidase-4, leading to the development of FDA-approved treatments for Type 2 diabetes. She has received a number of awards, including the 2011 PhRMA Discoverer’s Award. Education Thornberry grew up in South Bend, Indiana. As of 1979, she earned a B.Sc. in Natural Science from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Career Thornberry joined Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) in Rahway, New Jersey, as a biochemist in 1979. In 1999 she was appointed the director of enzymology, and in 2001 the director of metabolic disorders, with further promotions in 2007, 2009 and 2011. At her retirement from Merck in 2013 Thornberry held the position of senior vice president and franchise head, diabetes and endocrinology.