Biotechnology Center hires John Richert to lead business and technology development

BT Catalyst, Jan-Feb, 2005

John P. Richert, a senior executive with more than 25 years of business development, licensing and commercialization experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has been named vice president of the Business and Technology Development Program at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Richert will direct activities that promote economic development in North Carolina by encouraging the start-up and growth of biotechnology companies. He will oversee and manage the Center's loan programs, venture capital investments, and technology transfer and business-development activities.

Over the last fourteen years I have admired, and benefited from, what the Biotechnology Center has been able to do for emerging North Carolina biotechnology companies,"

Richert said. "I am pleased and honored that I may now be able to take the management, business development and licensing skills that I have accrued over this time to help future emerging biotechnology companies grow and prosper."

Before joining the Center, Richert was vice president of business development at Aeolus Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Research Triangle Park. Previously he was director of market development at Sphinx Pharmaceuticals Corp. in Durham, director of market development for new products at Schering-Plough Corp. in Kenilworth, N.J., and assistant product manager at Pfizer Laboratories in New York.

Richert has a M.B.A. degree in pharmaceutical marketing and finance from Fairleigh-Dickinson University and a bachelor's degree in French and applied linguistics from Georgetown University.