Tag Archive for: Chief Executive

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.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

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.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Mark Johnson to Join Medtronic Emergency Response Systems as Vice President of Operations

Life Science Partner recruits expert in operations and supply-chain management

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Mark Johnson to become vice president of operations for Redwood, Washington-based Medtronic Emergency Response Systems (ERS).  In this role, Johnson will lead a team of 300, including 125 in manufacturing, who are building Medtronic’s lifesaving LIFEPAK defibrillator/monitors and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).  An innovator in the field, Medtronic ERS is on the forefront of integrating information technology and AED devices to advance the performance and benefits for improved patient survival.

Johnson has considerable experience with supply chain management and the turnaround of manufacturing operations.  He joins Medtronic ERS from Philips Consumer, with responsibility for transitioning Sonicare oral health products from a U.S.-focused organization to a world leader, with a global supply chain system to match its sales ambitions.  Using a data-driven system, Johnson was able to introduce an outsourcing program to reduce costs while increasing diversity in the product lines.

“We have found that consumer goods companies, particularly in electronically-driven appliances, hone operational skill sets not typically found in the medical device industry,” noted Cindi Roberts, vice president, Life Science Partner.  “Mark provides Medtronic with the high-quality, low-cost manufacturing and sourcing leadership that we did not find when we examined prospective candidates from its medical device competitors.”

Previously, Johnson was a leader in the manufacturing contractors Integrex and Flextronics.  As the general manager of the Chatham facility, Johnson eliminated a significant work backlog for a client who was threatening to terminate their contract due to non-performance.  He honed his operational skills at Metawave, a cellular infrastructure company, and Motorola.  By joining Medtronic ERS, Johnson now leads the AED operations team in the world’s leading medical device company.

Johnson received his BS in Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington and is a graduate of their MBA program.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Andy Lux to Join Medtronic Sofamor Danek as General Manager, Warsaw Operations

Life Science Partner recruits a general manager and manufacturing operations expert from Baxter Healthcare

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Andrew (Andy) Lux to become general manager of operations for the Medtronic Sofamor Danek Warsaw facilities. Medtronic Sofamor Danek is a leading orthopaedic company and the fast growing division of Medtronic, Inc. 

The Company develops and manufactures products that treat a variety of disorders of the cranium and spine with worldwide sales reaching approximately $2 B and growing at  17%.  Lux will lead the 600-employee operation in Warsaw, Indiana, that manufactures spinal implants which are approximately 55% of the products manufactured within the Company.

Lux has considerable experience with the turnaround of manufacturing operations.  He joins Medtronic Sofamor Danek from Baxter Healthcare where he had worldwide responsibilities for the renal and transfusion product lines, including 5,000 employees in seven plants and $750 mm in cost of goods.

“Andy is highly qualified to run a complex manufacturing operation,” noted Cindi Roberts, vice president, Life Science Partner.  “Most importantly, he knows business and will make a great partner with Peter Wehrly as their business continues to grow exponentially.”

To some degree this role is a homecoming for Lux, as he was previously vice president of operations and research and development for Medtronic’s cardiac surgery division.  His general management skills were recognized when he became CEO of Biomec, a pacing leads company.  Earlier, he was vice president and general manager of the x-ray division of Picker International and vice president of operations of Johnson and Johnson’s Advanced Sterilization Products.  Other leadership roles at major corporations include Diasonics, Resonex and GE Medical Systems Business Group.

Lux earned his BS, Metallurgical Engineering at Cleveland State University, and his MS and Doctor of Science at MIT.  He received his MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Ray Cohen Appointed CEO of Symphony Medical

Former CEO of Cardiac Science to Build New Atrial Fibrillation Company

Life Science Partner announced today the recruitment of Ray Cohen to become Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Symphony Medical, a clinical development stage company commercializing biopolymer-based products for cardiovascular conduction abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation.

A Cleveland Clinic spin-off company, Symphony Medical recently raised more than $6 million in equity funding to develop treatments for atrial fibrillation and other ailments.

Symphony Medical was founded in 2002 with technologies that focus on the development and commercialization of novel treatments of cardiovascular conduction abnormalities. Using practical and cost-effective approaches, Symphony’s products are designed to correct cardiac conduction disorders through safe biologic, non-ablative means.

Presently, Symphony is engaged in the clinical development phase of its first product for the prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation.

Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner noted, “Cohen is an acknowledged leader in the field of the early-stage company in cardiac disease – having revived Cardiac Science, the early leader in the field of Automatic Atrial Defibrillators.” Joining Cardiac Science in 1997, he identified the vision, hired the scientific and sales leadership team, raised over $130 million in equity and debt capital, and captured 25% the world market share in AEDs.

Cohen led a very aggressive acquisition strategy, acquiring and integrating four companies – Cadent Medical, Survivalink, Comlient and Artema), that enabled the company to continue its rapid growth and build its technology portfolio.  Versed in international business, Cohen’s team established OEM relationships with Medtronic Physio-Control, GE and Japan’s Nihon Kohden Corporation. 

In September 2005, Cohen merged Cardiac Science with Quinton Cardiology Systems, Inc., where he remains as Chairman of the Board and strategic advisor of the merged company still operating under the Cardiac Science name (www.cardiacscience.com).

Cohen’s experience in building companies based upon novel technologies did not begin with Cardiac Science. He was previously the owner of a cardiac diagnostic monitoring and device company, Diagnostic Monitoring, and the President of BioAnalogics, a developer of bio electrical impedence devices.  His early career is marked by a successful track record as a sales leader in the field of medical devices rising to the level Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Brentwood Instruments in Torrance, California.

Under Cohen’s leadership, Symphony expects to commercialize its atrial fibrillation technologies and other products through corporate partners with global marketing and sales capabilities. The company has established a culture of rapid product development, continuous expansion of intellectual property, minimization of capital and personnel expenses, and superior science and clinical know-how.

In addition to his leadership as Chairman of the Board of Cardiac Science, Cohen is a member of the Young President Organization, the IndUS Entrepreneurs and a lecturer at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Merage School of Business at UC Irvine.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Swapan Sen Recruited to Lead Expansion of eRadiology at Cleveland Clinic

Bringing a lifetime of commercial radiology management to internationally renown academic institution

Life Science Partner announced today the recruitment of Swapan Sen to become Executive Director, eRadiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Sen was previously the President and COO of Raytel Imaging Holdings, a division of SHL-Telemedicine Ltd., which provides radiology services and new facilities that provide for  the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

“Sen has the broad financial and operational management of radiology centers, with a strong background in the commercial arena of national operations, “noted Thomas H. Callaway, MD, President and Founder of Life Science Partner.  “He was attracted to joining the Cleveland Clinic because their cutting-edge radiology technologies and international brand recognition gives them a leg-up in the emerging market for teleradiology.”

The eRadiology Department at Cleveland Clinic provides services and equipment to allow geographically dispersed radiologists access to experienced specialists in the development of outpatient imaging centers (including site selection and design, equipment acquisition, employee recruitment and training) and teleradiological access to the academic, subspecialty trained radiologists of the Cleveland Clinic.

At Raytel Imaging, Sen led a company that owns and operates stand-alone, multi-modality diagnostic imaging centers across the country. These centers provide a wide variety of imaging services, which include MRI and MRA, CT, Ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear Imaging, DEXA Scanning and X-Ray.  Since its acquisition in April 2002 by SHL-Telemedicine, Sen oversaw its expansion into cardiac monitoring (e.g., EKG telemonitoring) and cardiac imaging, including nuclear cardiac business.

Early in his career, Sen was a leader in the introduction of Nuclear Magnetic Imaging (MRI) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  He received his B.S. from Calcutta University, in Calcutta, India and his MS in Healthcare Administration at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

BD Biosciences Recruits Jim Carraher to Become Director, Program Management of Cellular Analysis Business

Life Science Partner recruits proven project management leader at Dade Behring and Syva Company

Life Science Partner announces the placement of James (Jim) D. Carraher, formerly director of program management at Pelikan Technologies, to become the director of program management, cellular analysis business unit at BD Biosciences. 

BD Biosciences, a division of Becton, Dickinson and Company, provides a comprehensive portfolio of reagents, systems and technical expertise to accelerate the pace of biomedical discovery and diagnosis.

In this new role, Carraher will be responsible for the BD Bioscience cellular analysis product development team – speeding products rapidly from concept to prototype to final product in manufacturing and into the research scientist’s laboratory.  Carraher will  accelerate product development for this world leader in flow cytometry solutions for research and clinical use for immune function, vaccine research, infectious disease and oncology.

At Pelikan Technologies, Carraher led an entrepreneurial team to develop the next generation sample acquisition and blood glucose monitoring.  Previously, he was director of project management at Aviron, a vaccine company developing the FluMist delivery system.

“Jim is a top-flight project manager, who has been proven on the international stage,” says Life Science Partner vice president Cindi. Roberts. “He will prove a valuable addition to speeding the commercialization of BD Biosciences’ considerable portfolio.”

Carraher comes to BD Bioscience with more than 20 years of experience developing leading-edge diagnostic products.   In addition to Pelikan Technologies, Carraher has had leadership roles in product management, international marketing and business general management during 20 years at Syva and its successors Behring Diagnostics and Dade Behring. 

While living in Germany during 1996 to 2000 leading global product management for Dade Behring, he introduced the first Customer Advisory Board and Technology Advisory Board that created the Company’s first detailed product lifecycle plan.  The net resulting efficiency was seen in a 17% reduction in manufacturing cost and reduced post-installation service calls.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Steven Damon Joins Altea Therapeutics as VP, Business Development

Life Science Partner places drug delivery executive to guide business development

Life Science Partner announced the placement of Steven Damon as vice president, business development at Altea Therapeutics. Hired August 22, 2005, Damon will be responsible for leading activities in product licensing, product pipeline analysis and assessment of competitive products and technologies. 

In particular, he will be responsible for evaluating and concluding agreements for development, manufacturing and marketing of Altea’s products.

“Damon’s knowledge of the drug delivery space, coupled with his repeated success in cultivating strong and productive relationships with potential partners and closing the deal, prepares him well for this key position,” says Cynthia B. Roberts, vice president at Life Science Partner.

As a senior business development executive with DURECT Corporation, Damon was highly successful in assessing market potential, providing due diligence, and term sheet and contract negotiation.  In addition, he handled all market research and market conditioning activities related to the DURECT product pipeline including opinion leader relationships, interviews with patients and physicians, conferences, presentations, pricing and reimbursement planning and product concept planning.  During his tenure, he was also the chairman and president of Absorbable Polymers International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DURECT. Damon joined the Company as a director of market development responsible for preparing the market for Chronogesic from a commercial development perspective which culminated in a significant deal with Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Previously, Damon spent 13 years with Kimberly Clark proving his versatility in a range of positions. His most recent role as director of mergers and acquisitions for Professional Health Care allowed him to work on two significant medical device acquisitions: Ballard Medical and Safeskin.

Damon spent his early career in the sales and marketing function at Kimberly Clark, starting in Roswell, GA as a sales representative and moving through positions in corporate and district sales before accepting a role as business development manager for Europe based in Düsseldorf.  He was promoted to director of sales for Europe based in London before returning to the US in 1999 in the mergers and acquisitions role.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

PrognostiX Welcomes Mark Willig as new CEO

Life Science Partner places entrepreneurial-minded sales exec to lead Cleveland Clinic’s diagnostic services spin-off

Life Science Partner announces the placement of Mark R.Willig, as CEO, at Cleveland-based PrognostiX, Inc. As the company’s chief executive, Willig will lead product development and commercialization of technology while overseeing finance and marketing strategy.

A medical diagnostics company founded by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, PrognostiX’s testing kits and laboratory services focus on inflammatory processes in major disease areas including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodegenerative disease and obesity.

“It’s been invigorating to watch this come together for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s first homegrown spin off,” says Thomas H. Callaway, Life Science Partner’s founder and president. “PrognostiX has won product approval, defined a strategy, and prepared for production. What they needed was an entrepreneur to catalyze sales and organizational development. Mark fits that bill very well.”

Willig joins another Life Science Partner placement at PrognostiX, Vijay Aggarwal, who is a member of the board of directors.

At both established and specialized diagnostic firms, as well as companies serving other healthcare fields, Willig has demonstrated his ability to devise successful go-to-market strategies while planning, assembling and managing effective sales forces. Previously with Specialty Labs, a clinical reference laboratory and diagnostic research company, he was senior vice president of sales and marketing. There, he set strategy for the sales and marketing organization, guiding transitions to a customer-driven focus, a vertical-markets approach, and greater international revenues. Under Willig, Specialty was the only national reference lab to record eight consecutive quarters of organic revenue growth.

As vice president of sales at Myriad Genetics, a biopharmaceutical company, Willig led an organization that saw sales increase by an average of 200 percent annually over a four-year period. Willig managed a total in-house staff of 106 people in addition to an alliance partner’s sales force of 700. He also held responsibility for sales infrastructure and process improvements including a customer relationship management software implementation.

With software developer Orca Medical Systems, as vice president of sales and marketing, Willig devised the start-up’s first marketing strategies, which targeted hospital emergency departments worldwide. He also recruited and trained a national sales force. Within 18 months, Orca won $3 million in new business and added some of the most prestigious provider organizations in the US to its client roster.

Willig began his career in the diagnostics division of Abbott Laboratories, a provider of diagnostic instrumentation and reagents to hospitals, clinics and reference labs. Most recently at Abbott, as integrated health systems manager, Willig had responsibility over a staff of 42 sales reps selling to and serving large healthcare systems.

Willig holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by

Amy Boyle Joins International Team at St. Jude Medical

Life Science Partner places cardio device industry executive to guide international strategy, marketing and product launches.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Amy Boyle as vice president, marketing of the International Division at St. Jude Medical, Inc. For the company’s International Division, encompassing Canada, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia and Australia/New Zealand, Boyle will have responsibility for marketing strategy and performance.

Her team will coordinate product launches, oversee relevant training programs, and strengthen government relations. St. Jude, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, designs, manufactures and distributes mechanical and tissue heart valves, defibrillators, and other medical devices for use in treating heart conditions.

“Amy’s broad knowledge of this therapeutic space, coupled with her repeated success in cultivating strong productive relationships with sales forces and clients, prepares her well for this key role,” says Tom. Callaway, MD, Life Science Partner’s founder and president.

As a senior executive in the highly competitive field of cardiac rhythm management (CRM), Boyle’s career is replete with successful product launches and solid market growth. She comes to St. Jude from Medtronic, where she was a regional vice president for CRM responsible for major accounts and physician group strategy and execution, education and market development.

In various previous positions with Medtronic, Boyle has proven her ability to meet a range of challenges. As a director of sales and marketing, she held P&L responsibility for the company’s vascular business in Canada. While a regional manager, she created and led a diverse team that directed sales, field clinical support, customer education and market development for CRM, in Medtronic’s highest-grossing Canadian region. When a marketing manager, Boyle managed the company’s coronary angioplasty business across all territories in Canada—including the launch of the company’s stent technology. The business unit’s revenues grew by a factor of six in an 18 month period. Also as a marketing manager, Boyle developed Medtronic’s Canadian tachyarrhythmia business, extending market share from 51 percent to 85 percent.

Boyle began her professional career as a physical therapist at Toronto Western Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital near Toronto.   Boyle has an MBA from York University and a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University.

Learn More About Life Science Partner

Click button below to learn more about how we recruit Chief Executives:

Learn More About Chief Executive Functions
/0 Comments/by