Tag Archive for: BioTech and Pharma

Chris Dennis to join Angiotech Pharmaceuticals as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Life Science Partner announces recruitment of former Global President of J&J’s OrthoNeutrogena Company, a Division of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Life Science Partner announces the appointment of Chris Dennis, a senior sales, marketing and general management executive, to Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as the Senior VP of  Sales and Marketing.   

Angiotech is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company that discovers, develops, and markets innovative technologies and medical products primarily for local diseases or for complications associated with medical device implants, surgical interventions and acute injury.

In Dennis’ most recent role at OrthoNeutrogena, a pharmaceutical and aesthetic device company, he was responsible for the overall strategy and business growth initiatives.  In his previous position at Janssen Ortho, Inc., a Canadian pharmaceutical company, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales where he managed a wide range of prescription medications. 

Mr. Dennis also held the position of President, LifeScan Canada Ltd. (medical devices), where he oversaw the sales, marketing and distribution of diagnostic products for people with diabetes.   He also held a number of sales and management roles at McNeil Consumer Products, a J&J company, and Bristol Myers Products Canada.

At Angiotech, Dennis will be focused on building a global sales and marketing organization and commercialization strategy that includes the company’s sales and market capability in the five identified markets of Ophthalmology, Wound Closure, Vascular, Biopsy and Aesthetics.  He will have the responsibility for building near-term strategies and subsequent revenues from innovating technologies existing within each of these product areas.

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John F. Hannon to join Exoxemis Inc. as Chief Operating Officer

Life Science Partner recruits former President and General Manager of the EDX Division of Elan Corporation

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of John Hannon, an entrepreneurial biopharmaceutical executive, to Exoxemis, Inc. Exoxemis is an early-stage biopharmaceutical research and development company focused on prevention and treatment of serious infections and the significant and growing problem of microbial drug resistance.  

The company’s myeloperoxidase (MPO) technology is a versatile platform that can be leveraged into multiple product areas, including medical, biodefense, industrial, veterinary, disinfectant, and agricultural applications.

In Hannon’s most recent role at Elan, he was responsible for building the oncology portfolio as well as acquiring complementary products in the fields of sepsis and pain management.  He has a broad range of general management, business development, and sales and marketing for healthcare products in the domestic and international markets.

“John has a broad understanding of preparing markets for commercialization of products and proven executive management skills,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “Exoxemis will allow him to lead a team in the company’s transformation from a clinical research and product development organization to a commercial company with innovative products to improve and save people’s lives.”

Hannon will direct a talented management team overseeing research and product development, clinical development, operations and sales and marketing.

John received his Graduate Medical Marketing degree from UCLA and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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William F. Wright to join Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. as Senior Director, Osteocel and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Operations

Life Science Partner recruits former General Manager of PBM Nutritionals, LLC (formerly Wyeth Nutritionals)

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Bill Wright, a senior manufacturing executive, to Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. as the Senior Director,  Osteocel and Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Operations.   

Osiris Therapeutics develops innovative technology for isolating and expanding mesenchymal stem cells derived from donated bone marrow for therapeutic drug products. The Company uses cells from adult donors that are grown in culture to very high numbers, allowing a single donor’s cells to treat thousands of patients. 

These cells can be used in patients unrelated to the donor, without rejection, eliminating the need for donor matching and recipient immune suppression.

In Wright’s most recent role at PBM, a manufacturer of infant formula and other nutritional foods, he was responsible for the strategic direction and operational results for all aspects of this high growth entrepreneurial business including managing the functions of quality, commercial operations, engineering, HR, finance, IT, R&D and manufacturing. 

In his previous position at CryoLife, Inc., he served as Director of Operations for Bioprosthetic Devices and Allograft Processing.

“Bill has strong operations skills, understands how to scale up biological sites and is well-versed in broad device operations making him an excellent fit for this critical role as Osiris readies for its upcoming Phase III trials in both GVHD and Crohn’s Disease indications,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.

Wright will lead all aspects of manufacturing operations with the responsibility for developing, approving and implementing the strategic and operational plans of the organization, for championing quality improvement initiatives, and sponsoring business excellence efforts.

Wright received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina.

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Tom Weber to join Angiotech Pharmaceuticals as Senior Director of Analytical Chemistry

Life Science Partner recruits former Director, Analytical Research and Development of Celator Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Life Science Partner announces the appointment of Tom Weber, a pharmaceutical R & D executive, to Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as the Director of Analytical Chemistry.

Angiotech is a world leader in the emerging field of drug-eluting medical devices and biomaterials. With an accelerated program to integrate pharmaceutical and biologically active materials to improve its products, Weber will lead the analytical chemistry team to capitalize upon Angiotech’s considerable intellectual property portfolio to create break-through products.

At Celator Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage biopharmaceutical company developing new combination therapies to treat cancer, Weber led the analytical and bioanalytical development of new products through validation, technical transfer and clinical stage product testing.   As experienced pharmaceutical scientist, he was previously a senior research and development officer in a several early, mid and development stage pharmaceutical companies.

“Weber brings a wealth of experience in the development of new drugs, drug delivery, drug-congugates and drug-device products which will enable him to immediately contribute to Angiotech’s ongoing projects as well as future developmental programs,” noted Cindi Roberts, Vice President at Life Science Partner.

Weber will lead strategic and tactical direction to the Chemistry group within global R&D across multiple complex device platforms including novel pharmaceutical agents and local delivery technology as well as novel combination product development involving local delivery of device platforms.

Weber received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and Physics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

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Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Recruits Tim Lowinger as Vice President, Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry

Life Science Partner recruits Tim Lowinger, PhD, global leader in chemistry research and development to help propel proprietary products

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Tim Lowinger, PhD, formerly vice president, chemistry research at Bayer Healthcare, to lead Angiotech Pharmaceuticals’ newly formed division of pharmaceutical science and chemistry. Angiotech is the world leader in the emerging field of drug-eluting medical devices and biomaterials.  

With an accelerated program to integrate pharmaceutical and biologically active materials to improve its products, Lowinger will lead the discovery team to capitalize upon Angiotech’s considerable intellectual property portfolio to create break-through products.

Lowinger is well-positioned to lead this team, as he has considerable experience at Bayer in chemistry development as well as in leadership of global teams including medicinal and analytical chemistry departments – developing drugs from hit generation through lead optimization.

“Tim is a triple threat,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “He is the prototype of the top-shelf pharmaceutical chemist.  He has built and led global teams – spanning the U.S., Japan and Germany.  Tim has the ability to see beyond the lab bench to find solutions that can improve patients’ lives.”

Joining Bayer as a research scientist in 1993, Lowinger was responsible for all chemistry efforts within the cancer exploratory research team. He was promoted to the head of the chemistry department at Bayer Yakuhin, where he established a new cancer research center and built Bayer’s first Japanese chemistry research facility.  After establishing a global research center, he was relocated to corporate headquarters in Wuppertal, Germany, to become responsible for the virology therapeutic area.  In 2003, he assumed responsibility for the global chemistry organization as Vice President, Chemistry Research based in West Haven, CT.

Lowinger earned his B.Sc. (Chemistry) and PhD (Organic Chemistry) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.  He was a Merck Post-doctoral Fellow at Ohio State University under the leadership of Professor Leo Paquette as his advisor.

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Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Recruits Andrew Penman to Become Vice President, Preclinical Development

Life Science Partner recruits global leader in preclinical development to help accelerate product creation and add pharmaceutical expertise

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Andrew Penman, PhD, formerly president, preclinical development at Aptuit (a spin-out of Quintiles Transnational) to lead Angiotech Pharmaceuticals newly formed division of preclinical development. 

Angiotech is the world leader in the emerging field of drug-eluting medical devices and biomaterials.    With an accelerated program to integrate pharmaceutical and biologically active materials to improve its products, Penman will lead the preclinical development team to capitalize upon Angiotech’s considerable intellectual property portfolio to create breakthrough products.

A well-respected manager of preclinical development, Penman was responsible  for a global team of 350 people worldwide and service revenues of $55m generated through contract preclinical services in the Kansas City and UK locations.  The Company was formed by the spin-out of the preclinical group of Quintiles, a company in which he led the DMPK and Bioanalysis group.

“Andy is an excellent manager and preclinical scientist,” noted Cindi Roberts, vice  president of Life Science Partner.  “His experience in the contract-services business of preclinical drug development has honed his business and organizational skills.”

Penman joined Quintiles upon the acquisition of Pharmacia by Pfizer.  Within the pharmaceutical industry, he was director, drug metabolism and biodisposition at the Pfizer Skokie site.  He honed his skills in early drug development as President of  Cephac Europe, a 100-scientist bioanalytic division of Aster-Cephac.  His recruitment to Quintiles in 2003 was a return to the company he joined in 1995 in its Scotland-based bioanalysis group.

Penman earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and his Ph.D. at University of Kent in Canterbury.

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Lode Debrabandere to Lead Autoimmune Business Unit at Osiris Therapeutics

Life Science Partner brings clinical development and marketing talent to help launch first stem-cell therapy

Life Science Partner announces today the recruitment of Lode Debrabandere, PhD, former vice president, Neuroscience Business Unit of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company to Osiris Therapeutics to become general manager of Osiris Therapeutics’ Autoimmune Diseases business unit. 

Osiris is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative technology for isolating and expanding messchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from donated bone marrow for therapeutic drug products.

In the past few years, Osiris has transformed from an early-stage, research-focused organization to a commercially-focused enterprise – as it prepares to complete trials and launch Prochymal in autoimmune -related disorders including the treatment of acute graft-versus-host-disease in patients receiving bone marrow transplantation, Crohn’s Disease, and other related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

“Osiris fits Debrabandere like a glove,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “He has significant global regulatory and clinical development experience – and demonstrated global marketing strategy expertise that will accelerate the successful launch of Prochymal to help these patients.”

At Bristol-Myers Squibb, Debrabandere led an interdisciplinary team to evaluate the company’s portfolio of products and programs – and then implemented a market-driven realignment of resources to expand into infectious diseases and CNS.  Earlier he led U.S. marketing and global clinical development for UCB Pharma where he led the co-promotional agreements with Pfizer and Alza to rapidly grow sales of Zyrtec and Ditropan, respectively.  He began his career as a trainee to the CEO of UCB Pharma before joining the global company in clinical development, rising to director of global clinical operations.

A native of Belgium, Debrabandere  earned his Pharm.D and PhD (Pharmaceutical Sciences) and his MBA at University of Leuven.

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Ross Tonkens, MD, Chosen to Lead Clinical Development at Regado Biosciences

Life Science Partner recruits pharmaceutical veteran and cardiology specialist as chief medical officer

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of  Ross Tonkens, MD, FACP, to become the chief medical officer of Regado Biosciences.  Tonkens joins the company from Quintiles Transnational where he served as senior director, medical and scientific services and global scientific head for cardiovascular therapeutics.

Regado Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company developing antidote-controlled therapeutics via simultaneous rational design of drug-antidote pairs.  Regado is initially focusing on the acute care antithrombotics market, with its lead product – REG1 anticoagulation system – the first specific direct-acting, antidote-controlled anticoagulant.

Tonkens is uniquely qualified to lead clinical and regulatory development due to his broad experience leading global teams in the cardiovascular therapeutic category.  Since 2001, Tonkens has managed a global team of cardiovascular, pulmonary and critical care physicians who oversee drug and device trials for Quintiles’ clients.  In addition, he managed four cardiologists based in Europe and a global portfolio of trials.

“For Regado, Ross was an exceptional find,” says Life Science Partner, founder and president Tom Callaway, MD. “In addition to his clinical trial experience, his role at Quintiles allowed him to work with many early-stage companies – and develop the strategic skills to determine what’s possible to make great science commercially feasible despite finite resources.”

A cardiologist by training, Tonkens combines experience in academic research with strong business analytical skills and accomplishments in corporate pharmaceutical environments.

Tonkens earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Yale. He continued his training in Los Angeles, as an intern at Cedars-Sinai and residency in diagnostic radiology and internal medicine at UCLA.  He returned to Cedars Sinai for his cardiology fellowship.

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Hospira Recruits Kurt Gunter, MD, to Lead Cell Therapy Initiatives

Life Science Partner recruit offers valuable experience in regulatory and commercialization strategy

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Kurt C. Gunter, MD, as medical director, cell therapy of Hospira, a Chicago area based medical products company.  Hospira is a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company launched from the core global hospital products business of Abbott Laboratories. 

With the recruitment of Gunter, Hospira now has a leader in the field of cell therapy to provide scientific and medical leadership for technology assessment and investment, and manage key relationships with academic and research institutions.  He will have the critical responsibility for representing the cell-therapy companies seeking investment and/or partnership.

“Kurt has a broad background in cell and gene therapy – with a specific expertise in developing regulatory guidelines for the field,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “Few can match his experience in the use of cells for new therapies that hold out the promise to cure intractable diseases.”

As the vice president and medical affairs/governmental relations of ZymeQuest, Gunter led the clinical strategy of a biotechnology company removing A and B antigens from red blood cells to create “universal donor” blood.  Previously, he held a similar role at ViaCell, a cord blood banking and cell therapy company.  His first commercial experience was as vice president, clinical and regulatory for Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT) supervising all regulatory filings for its orphan drug program.

His earlier career was as a researcher and clinical pathologist at Children’s National Medical Center, George Washington University Medical School, and the FDA, where he was acting director, division of cellular and gene therapy.  A recognized leader in the field, he was appointed as the industry representative to the standards-setting organization, the FDA Cellular Tissue and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.

Gunter earned his BS at Stanford and his MD at University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency.  He continued his anatomical pathology training at University of Maryland and was a biotechnology fellow in molecular immunology at the National Cancer Institute.

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Dr. Jerry Fernandez to Join Aureon Biosciences as Senior Director of Pathology

To lead a team developing novel diagnostic services and products for prostate cancer patients

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Dr. Gerardo “Jerry” Javier Fernandez, an anatomic pathologist, to Aureon Biosciences. 

Aureon is a Yonkers, New York-based company enabling personalized patient care utilizing systems pathology to develop predictive clinical tests for cancer care, as well as to enable biopharmaceutical research and development.

Fernandez was recruited from Genzyme Genetics where he was an anatomic pathologist providing referring physicians with highly specialized referral services.  Dr. Fernandez is interested in computer-assisted diagnostics and led the company’s imaging applications and interactive analysis group.  Most recently, he was a core team member and the medical consultant for the information system consolidation between laboratory and surgical pathology.

“Jerry is unique in that he is an anatomical pathologist whose keen interest in using computers for improving patient care is his passion,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “Aureon will allow him to lead a team developing the latest tool set for cancer diagnostics and turn data into knowledge by the strategic use of computer imaging and integrating patient information.”

Dr. Fernandez will lead a team of four anatomical pathologists interrogating and analyzing tissue to provide the first comprehensive and fully integrated view of the progression of cancer by studying multiple molecular pathways of disease as well as micro-anatomic imaging.  By utilizing state-of-the-art informatics, Aureon Biosciences will be able to provide referring physicians some of the first predictive tests for cancer by integrating molecular pathology and clinical informatics.

Dr. Fernandez received his MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and his undergraduate degree in Natural Science and Mathematics at Bennington College.  He completed his residency in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology and his fellowships in Cytopathology and Surgical Pathology at New York University Medical Center.

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