Tag Archive for: Chief Scientist

Neil Schauer, PhD joins Hospira as Senior Director, Biologics Process Development

Life Science Partner recruits former Director of DSP Research and Development at Millipore Corp

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Neil Schauer, PhD, a seasoned biopharmaceutical development leader and scientist, to become Senior Director, Biologics Development for Hospira’s biosimilars division.

Hospira is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company that develops, manufactures and markets products that help improve the safety, effectiveness and costs of patient care.

In his most recent role at Millipore Corp, Schauer was responsible for scientific and managerial leadership of a large research and development organization with four functional areas focusing on DSP Research.  Prior to his tenure at Millipore Corp, Schauer served as the Director of Cambridge Manufacturing Sciences at Biogen Idec.  In his new role at Hospira, he will have overall responsibility for providing strategic and technical leadership to a large staff of pharmaceutical scientists responsible for the development of Drug Substance and Drug Product manufacturing for Hospira’s biosimilar products.

“Schauer is a versatile leader and scientist with a solid background in managing large teams in the identification and development of disruptive new technologies” noted Tom Callaway, MD, Founder and President of Life Science Partner.  “With his global knowledge and reach, he will serve Hospira well in its mission to become a global leader in providing biosimilar versions of the world’s most critical biological drugs.”

Schauer earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biology and his PhD in Anaerobic Microbiology from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg.

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Bill Frey joins Georgia Pacific as Vice President, Business Development, Disruptive Technologies

Life Science Partner recruits former President and Chief Executive Officer of Qteros

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of William  (Bill) Frey, PhD, most recently President and Chief Executive Officer for Qteros, to Georgia Pacific to lead a new business development initiative on disruptive technologies across the company. 

In this role, Frey will be responsible for key areas of investment, such as the use of biotechnology in processing of wood products, materials sciences to create new products, and process engineering to reduce water and energy utilization for a more sustainable business enterprise.

Frey is well qualified to develop this initiative at Georgia Pacific from his leadership at Qteros, a cellulosic ethanol technology company dedicated to accelerating the global commercialization of renewable biofuels.

Previously, Frey served as Global Business Director at DuPont Biofuels where he led global business activities and commercialization of Advanced Biofuels and New Cellulosic Process technologies for the company, resulting in the formation of DuPont Biofuels.   Frey has a significant track record for championing innovation during his 28 years at DuPont, including the creation of new biotechnology-based businesses.

“Frey brings his broad experience and successful insights in identifying and executing transformative opportunities in biofuels and sustainable chemicals and materials to the company,” noted Tom Callaway, President of Life Science Partner.  “His unique blend of developing strategic partners from both sides – large company to small and small company to large – will serve him well in his new role.”

Frey earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  He received a PhD in Organic Chemical with an Enzymology and Biochemistry focus from Pennsylvania State University.  He completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

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Seema Kumbhat, MD, joins Hospira as Medical Director, Device Development – Clinical Decision Support

Life Science Partner recruits former Vice President, Medical Affairs at McKesson Provider Technologies

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Seema Kumbhat, MD to Hospira to become Medical Director, Device Development – Clinical Decision Support.

Hospira is a $5 B global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company based in Lake Forest, Illinois.   In this new role, she will be responsible for the customer-relations and the clinical-insights into Hospira’s increasingly sophisticated drug delivery systems.

Kumbhat comes well prepared for the role, as she has led clinical teams and customer relationships in the leading healthcare IT companies.  As Vice President of Medical Affairs at McKesson Provider Technologies, Kumbhat served as the key clinical liaison across large healthcare systems and physician practices for the company.

Earlier, Kumbhat served as Enterprise Clinical Manager and Physician Consultant for GE Healthcare IT Solutions where she managed a team of content experts in software configuration for specific clinical specifications.  She joined industry directly from her surgical residency program to help EPI Systems develop their surgery, anesthesia and enterprise medical record systems.

“Kumbhat is articulate and passionate about making healthcare IT solutions that serve the physicians and hospital-based caregivers with efficiency and real-world solutions,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner.  “Her broad background as a physician liaison and her direct experience in the field of product development and customer support will be a great asset to the Medical Device team at Hospira”

Kumbhat earned her Bachelor of Science Degree (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Miami and her Medical Degree with Research Distinction in Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

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Steve Walsh joins Carticept Medical as Vice President of Research and Development

Life Science Partner recruits biomaterials expert to lead synthetic cartilage product development

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Steve Walsh, PhD, a senior biomaterials technology and development expert, to Carticept Medical to become Vice President, Research and Development for the company. 

Carticept Medical is an Atlanta-based medical device company developing novel therapies designed to address the shortcomings of current conservative and surgical treatment options for patients with osteoarthritis or cartilage injuries.

In his previous role at Cyrolife, another Atlanta-based biotechnology company, Walsh was responsible for leading Biomaterials Technologies and Product Development for the company’s implantable biological devices, surgical adhesives and biomaterials for use in cardiac, vascular, general and reconstructive surgery.

Before his tenure at Cyrolife, Walsh served as Manager of the Implantable Device Development Engineering Group at BioControl Technology in Indiana, PA.   In his new role at Carticept, Walsh will have key responsibility for managing R&D efforts for the company’s synthetic cartilage products and the pipeline portfolio of novel therapeutic solutions.

“Walsh is a talented biomaterials scientist with a deep intellect and passion for his work,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “His deep knowledge base and broad development and process abilities will greatly benefit the important clinical and commercial efforts at Carticept.”

Walsh earned his Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering at the University of Lowell in Lowell Massachusetts and his Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Macromolecular Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Gene Jung joins the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center as Senior Director of Product Development

Life Science Partner recruits Senior Cardiovascular Product Development Executive.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Gene Jung, formerly Vice President of Engineering at ProRhythm, to the newly created Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Headquartered on the campus of The Cleveland Clinic, GCIC was launched with a $60 million grant for the State of Ohio to develop and commercialize new cardiovascular products.  GCIC will utilize the considerable clinical, research and commercialization capabilities of the GCIC member organizations in northeast Ohio and focus on developing technologies in partnership with established cardiovascular-focused companies and in newly-formed start-up companies.

In Jung’s most recent role at ProRhythm, he was responsible for developing the company’s High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology into a commercial product for Atrial Fibrillation.

Previously, Jung was a Medical Device Consultant in Tokyo where he designed and developed intra-vascular coronary products for numerous Japanese Medical Device Companies.   Prior to his work in Japan, Jung served as Research and Development Director at the Image Guided Therapy Division at Jomed Corporation in San Diego.

“Jung has a broad view of medical device technology from early-stage physician-driven innovation though product commercialization,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner. “His extensive technical leadership background across multiple cardiovascular platforms and his strong industry and physician networks will serve GCIC well.”

Jung earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.

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Shubhayu Basu to join the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center as Director of Product Development

Life Science Partner recruits Innovative R&D Scientist.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Shubhayu Basu, PhD, formerly Group Lead for New Business Ventures at Abbott Vascular, to the newly created Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The organization was launched with a $60 million grant for the State of Ohio to develop and commercialize new cardiovascular products.  GCIC will focus on developing technologies in partnership with established cardiovascular-focused companies and in newly-formed start-up companies.

In Basu’s former role at Abbott Vascular (formerly Guidant), he was responsible for creating and implementing processes for identifying emerging technologies and various disease spaces and opportunities against the company portfolio and growth landscape.   Previously, he served as Group Lead, Research and Development, Cardiac Therapies for the company.

Prior to joining Guidant/Abbott, Basu was a Biodesign Innovation Fellow at Stanford University’s Biodesign Program in Palo Alto, CA.

“Basu will join another LSP recruit – Gene Jung – who shares his passion about new technologies and their application in patient care,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “His ability to work with complex technologies to identify commercial opportunities and to oversee their development is a perfect fit for the GCIC team.”

Basu earned both his Bachelor and Masters Degree of Technology in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the Institute of Technology in New Delhi, India.  He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

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Blaine Knight to join the Southern Research Institute as Vice President of Drug Discovery

Life Science Partner recruits former Vice President, Globalization Projects and Preclinical Development for GlaxoSmithKline

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Blaine Knight, an experienced scientist and drug discovery executive, to the Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Southern Research Institute is an independent, not-for-profit center for scientific research providing innovative leadership in scientific discovery, drug development, engineering, aerospace, materials, environmental and energy research, chemical and biological defense, and homeland security.   

With a focus on the discovery and advancement of new, small-molecule therapeutics from the design stage to the clinic, Southern Research Institute’s Drug Discovery Research Division has accomplished innovative research in the areas of cancer, infectious disease and neuroscience.

Most recently, Knight was the Vice President, Globalization Projects and Preclinical Development for GlaxoSmithKline, where he developed a strategy for establishing R&D facilities in Asia and identified opportunities for outsourcing and innovative science from discovery to proof of concept from the American and European GSK sites in Asia.   Knight has held several executive positions at GSK within the Discovery Research Directorate including VP, Strategic Alliances; VP, Screening Sciences; and VP, Systems Research.  Prior to his roles at GSK, he held leadership positions in the Biochemistry Division at Glaxo Wellcome and in the Division of Molecular Sciences at the Glaxo Research Institute.

“Blaine is a strong and talented scientist with global understanding of the process of discovery,” noted Cindi Roberts, vice president of Life Science Partner.  “He will successfully build upon the Institute’s considerable platform and further enhance their reputation as one of the nation’s premier drug discovery organizations.”

Knight received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and earned his Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland in College Park.  Blaine completed his National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.

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Mark Phelps to join LifeSync Corporation as Vice President of Research and Development

Life Science Partner announces recruitment of former Senior Director, Product Development and Technology at Medtronic, Inc.

Life Science Partner announces the appointment of Mark Phelps, a senior technology development leader, to LifeSync Corporation as the Vice President of Research and Development.

LifeSync is an early stage medical device company focused on the continued development, marketing and sales of the first wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) data communications system appropriate for hospital and outpatient settings.

In his most recent role at Medtronic, a global leader in the development of medical technology, Phelps managed the Electronic Systems Technology, New Therapies and Diagnostics Division of Medtronic’s Microelectronics Center in Tempe, Arizona.

His team’s contributions to technology development impacted the wide range of electrophysiology products including pacemakers and external defibrillators.  Well versed in medical device development, Phelps was previously Senior Manager of Tachyarrhythmia Product Development for the company.  Before joining Medtronic, Phelps managed Strategic Product Development for Motorola.

“Phelps is the prototype of a forward-thinking scientist and technology innovator,” noted Tom Callaway, President of Life Science Partner.  “He will be a visionary leader in building innovative technologies for LifeSync in its mission to enable the future of healthcare for improved patient outcomes.”

At LifeSync, Phelps will be focused on developing a world-class engineering team building the next-generation biological data sensors, transmission devices and integrated systems.   He will serve as senior technical advisor and provide insight on how the technology can serve customer needs and direction in expanding the company’s platform.

Phelps earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Electrical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, Florida.  He received a PhD in Electrical Engineering from FIT as well.

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Randy Jones joins Windy Hill Medical as Vice President, Preclinical Development

Life Science Partner recruits former Vice President of Biology Services of Ricerca Biosciences

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Randy Jones, PhD, an experienced pharmaceutical development executive, to Windy Hill Medical to become Vice President, Preclinical Development. 

Windy Hill Medical is a California-based medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on the development of products to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in patients deemed to be at high risk.

In Jones’ previous role at Ricerca, a preclinical chemistry and biology services company, he was responsible for the operational and profit and loss responsibility for all areas of the Biology Division as well as new business development and the integration of IND/NDA programs in biology and chemistry.  Previously, Jones served as the Director of Toxicology at the Arkansas Division of Charles River Laboratories.

“Jones is an experienced and effective general manager, unflappable in style, with a broad understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and how to build successful teams,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “With his experience in medical devices as well as biopharmaceutical services, he will serve Windy Hill well in its mission to bring lasting improvements for high risk patients.”

In his role as Vice President of  Preclinical Development, Jones will have responsibility for overseeing the continued pharmaceutical development of Windy Hill Medical’s expanding portfolio of compounds under development for the localized therapy of breast cancer.  He will provide commercialization strategy and regulatory oversight to the Windy Hill team.

Jones earned his D.V.M at Iowa State University and his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Georgia in Athens.

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Mark Low joins the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center as Managing Director

Life Science Partner recruits Senior Leader from the Cardiovascular Medical Device Industry.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Mark Low, a senior cardiovascular medical device executive, to the newly created Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) based in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Headquartered on the campus of The Cleveland Clinic, GCIC was launched with a $60 million grant for the State of Ohio through its Wright Center of Innovation program to develop and commercialize new cardiovascular products.  Working with the GCIC’s Board of Directors and Commercialization Advisory Board, Low will build a team to utilize the considerable clinical, research and commercialization capabilities of the GCIC member organizations in northeast Ohio.

GCIC will be focused on developing technologies in partnership with established cardiovascular-focused companies and in newly-formed start-up companies.

Low has spent most of his career developing new cardiovascular technologies in both small, venture-backed companies and large medical device companies.   He has most recently provided market analysis, strategy and business development services for cardiovascular applications and technologies as an independent consultant.  Previously, Low was Vice President of Business and Market Development for Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a drug delivery and specialty pharmaceutical company in Bothell, Washington.  Earlier he led the market development of intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) at Hewlett Packard.

“Low is a well-networked and experienced marketing and commercialization executive in the field of cardiovascular technologies,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, founder and president of Life Science Partner.  “Working with GCIC and its affiliate institutions, Low will connect technology leaders at Cleveland Clinic and Case Western with corporate leaders and venture funding sources.”

Low earned a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Physiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Science in Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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