Genetic Engineering News Lists Top Ten Biotechnology CEOs

Business Wire, Dec 7, 2004

LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Ten biotech CEOs stand out for helping to advance their companies to leadership positions within the bioindustry, reports Genetic Engineering News (GEN; www.genengnews.com). The choice of CEOs was based on scientific excellence and creativity, forward-looking business models, and products not only in development but also on the market, according to the December issue of GEN.

"Biotechnology is still a young business. Most of its promise lies in the future in terms of new products currently in development to diagnose and treat human diseases," says John Sterling, Editor-in-Chief of GEN. "However, there are a number of companies and some extraordinary individuals who are already making their mark on biotech's short history."

GEN's top ten CEOs included Kevin Sharer, Amgen (AMGN:NASDAQ); Arthur D. Levinson, Ph.D., Genentech (DNA:NYSE); James C. Mullen, Biogen Idec (BIIB:NASDAQ); Henri A. Termeer, Genzyme (GENZ:NASDAQ); John C. Martin, Ph.D., Gilead Sciences (GILD:NASDAQ); John W. Jackson, Celgene (CELG:NASDAQ); Timothy J. Barberich, Sepracor (SEPR:NASDAQ); Frank Baldino, Jr., Ph.D., Cephalon (CEPH:NASDAQ); Colin Goddard, Ph.D., OSI Pharmaceuticals (OSIP:NASDAQ); and Daniel S. Lynch, Imclone (IMCL:NASDAQ).

A sampling of some of the accomplishments of GEN's Top CEOs reveals that under Sharer, Amgen received nine FDA approvals, grew from 7,300 employees to 12,800, and watched revenue increase from $3.6 billion to $8.4 billion. At Genentech, Dr. Levinson has continued to maintain a tradition of developing and marketing novel biopharmaceuticals and making the company one of biotechnology's bellweather firms.

James Mullen, who laid the groundwork for the launch of Avonex(R), Biogen's flagship product for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, also oversaw the creation of Biogen's manufacturing operations in Cambridge, MA, and Research Triangle Park, NC. Henri Termeer received the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from Merrill Lynch and Ernst and Young for his work in turning Genzyme into one of the world's premier biotechnology companies.

Genetic Engineering News is published 21 times a year by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. For a copy of the December issue, please call 914-834-3100, ext. 623, or email: ebicovny@liebertpub.com