Aaron Schacht is CEO of BiomEdit, LLC, a recently established company focused on microbiome innovation for animal health. BiomEdit is a next generation animal health company leveraging the science of the microbiome and synthetic biology to introduce novel feed ingredients and medicines to address some of the most challenging conditions in livestock and pets.
Schacht retired in 2021 from Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN) where since 2015 he led research and development (R&D), regulatory affairs and business development. During his time at Elanco, he transformed Elanco’s innovation model, building and integrating internal and external innovation strategies that positioned Elanco as a leading independent animal health company. Schacht led the strategic acquisition of Bayer Animal Health, Aratana Therapeutics and Kindred Biosciences. His R&D teams delivered more than a dozen new products to the market during his tenure including Interceptor Plus, Credelio, Galliprant, Clynav, Experior and Elura, while integrating the R&D capabilities and pipelines of Novartis Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim pet vaccines, Bayer Animal Health, Aratana, Prevtec and Kindred. Schacht was a member of the founding executive team that completed the carve out from parent Eli Lilly and Company, taking Elanco public in 2018.
Prior to his time at Elanco, Schacht spent the first 25 years of his career in industry at Eli Lilly and Company, beginning as a discovery research chemist and playing a variety of roles across R&D, strategy, external innovation and product development. Schacht's last role at Lilly was leading the late stage product development program, which resulted in the approval and commercialization of Emgality, a novel CGRP neutralizing monoclonal antibody proven effective for the prevention of migraine and cluster headache.
In addition to his role on the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute’s Board of Directors, Schacht currently serves on the boards of ScoutBio, Redux Bio and Agrinovus Indiana (Chair Emeritus).
Schacht received his bachelor's degree in chemical sciences from the University of Illinois in 1990.