EDUCATION
1972 B.A. U.C.L.A. (Psychology)
1973 M.S. Northwestern University (Biology)
1978 Ph.D. Northwestern University (Biochemistry)
1987 M.B.A. New York University (Marketing)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2001 – 2002 GTS Proteomics – San Diego, CA
General Manager
Held full operational responsibility for this start-up proteomics venture to develop novel, high-throughput protein expression technology. Fully re-wrote the company’s business plan and corporate slide presentation to re-direct the corporate strategy towards the proteomics opportunity. Pitched the story to venture capital firms, to audiences at proteomics and genomics conferences and to prospective corporate partners. Generated operating budgets and pro forma income statements. Established R&D objectives and oversaw progress. Negotiated cost-effective service contracts to procure robotic workstations and to design and install a custom computer database. Successfully negotiated and closed several agreements with large biotech firms and major academic research centers to undertake pilot studies of the firm’s technology.
1991 – 2001 Vical Inc. – San Diego, CA
Vice President, Business Development
Responsible for all aspects of business development as a member of the six-person management team of this publicly-traded biotech firm specializing in gene therapy. Successfully negotiated, closed and managed each of the company’s corporate alliances that generated nearly all the company’s operating revenue, including deals with Merck, Pfizer, Human Genome Sciences, Aventis Pharma, Aventis Pasteur, Baxter, Merial, Boston Scientific, Centocor and Genzyme that in aggregate value exceeded $300 million plus royalties. Authored and maintained the company’s strategic operating plans. Managed Vical’s intellectual property portfolio and administered agreements covering the firm’s external activities, including CDAs, MTAs, clinical trial agreements, advisory and consulting relationships. Played a pivotal role in each of Vical’s public equity financings, beginning with the 1993 IPO.
1988 – 1990 Triton (now Berlex) Biosciences Inc. – Alameda, CA
Director, Business Development
Responsible for developing and implementing foreign and domestic pharmaceutical in- and out-licensing programs for this Shell Oil affiliate. Conducted market research and financial analyses of products undergoing internal development and in-licensing. Evaluated and acquired a new pharmaceutical compound that comprised a major contribution to the company’s product portfolio. Provided strategic direction for R&D, authoring commercial assessments of two early-stage research projects and serving as the sole business executive on the firm’s SAB. Directed initial development of a newly acquired antiviral drug, establishing plans and timelines for preclinical and clinical studies. Served as a key member of the management team directing the sale of Triton to Schering AG for a price exceeding $150 million.
1982 – 1988 Sandoz Corp. (now Novartis) – East Hanover, NJ
Ass’t Director, Technology Assessment
Evaluated business opportunities in diverse fields of technology and served as key in-house advisor to top U.S. and Swiss management in the area of biotechnology. Negotiated and closed a broad AIDS alliance with Genelabs. Evaluated and acquired state-of-the-art technology for commercial production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Negotiated and managed a key drug delivery R&D collaboration with The Liposome Co. in support of the top-selling cyclosporin product. Evaluated over 200 new products and technologies for possible acquisition, including traditional pharmaceuticals, biotech products, diagnostics, medical devices, agrochemicals and foods.
1981 – 1982 AgroBiotics Inc. – Baltimore, MD
Vice President and Director
One of three founders of this start-up firm that pursued development of new products using modern biotechnology in the areas of agriculture and human health. Conceived and wrote the business plan, designed and managed early-phase R&D, established the SAB, sought financing from venture capitalists and corporate sponsors. Acquired funds to support ongoing research for one year from a major agrochemical manufacturer.
1980 – 1981 Teknekron Research – McLean, VA
Sr. Scientist, Biotechnology Group
Consulted to government and industry clients on opportunities and potential risks associated with the commercialization of biotechnology.
1980 United States Senate – Washington, DC
Intern
Served on the Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space. Advised the subcommittee chairman, Sen. Adlai Stevenson (D-IL), on issues of public health, worker safety and patents in the emerging field of commercial biotechnology.
1978 – 1980 Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, MA
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Studied immunoglobulin biochemistry, discovering previously unknown isotypes of mouse antibody light chains. Introduced monoclonal antibody technology to the laboratory.
HONORS, ORGANIZATIONS
1974 – Present Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (A.A.A.S.)
1985 – Present Member, Licensing Executive Society U.S.A. (L.E.S.)
1998 – Present Chancellor’s Associate, U.C.L.A.
1978 – 1980 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Foundation |
