Boris Nikolic

Background

Boris Nikolic was born in the former Yugoslavia and trained as a physician. He completed his medical training and began a career at the intersection of medicine, biotechnology, and investment. He became a senior science adviser to Bill Gates, helping evaluate biotechnology investments and scientific opportunities for Gates Ventures and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In this role, Nikolic worked extensively in the life sciences and biotech investment space, evaluating early-stage companies and opportunities in genomics, gene therapy, and related fields. He later founded his own biotechnology investment firm, Biomatics Capital. He has been a significant figure in the intersection of philanthropy, technology, and life sciences.

Connection to Epstein

Nikolic’s primary connection to Epstein was through their overlapping networks connecting Gates’s philanthropic and scientific circles. Epstein cultivated relationships with figures in the Gates world as part of his broader strategy of building scientific credibility and philanthropic legitimacy.

Nikolic was named as a “successor executor” in Jeffrey Epstein’s will, which was filed on August 8, 2019 — two days before Epstein was found dead at MCC. The will placed Epstein’s assets, estimated at over $577 million, into the 1953 Trust, with Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn as primary executors. Nikolic was designated as the individual who would step in to serve as executor if both primary executors were unable to serve.

Nikolic has stated publicly that he had no advance knowledge that he was to be named in the will and that he had not consented to the appointment. He stated unequivocally that he declined to serve in any capacity related to the Epstein estate.

Aftermath

The inclusion of Nikolic’s name in Epstein’s will, along with the Gates connection, attracted widespread speculation about the nature of the relationship between Epstein, Gates, and Nikolic. These questions fed into the broader reporting on the Gates-Epstein relationship and eventually contributed to coverage that preceded and followed the Gates divorce announcement in 2021.

Nikolic continued his work at Biomatics Capital and in the biotechnology sector. He has not been named in any legal proceedings connected to Epstein’s criminal activities.