22 May2014
Written by 2020HCP.com. Posted in Uncategorized
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced today that Governor Deval Patrick has appointed Adelene Perkins, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to the MLSC Board of Directors. Additionally, the MLSC Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is welcoming four new members, including Frederick J. Schoen, M.D., Ph.D.,
Hillel Bachrach, Frederick Jones, M.D., and Alison F. Lawton.
The MLSC’s seven member Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor and co-chaired by Secretaries Gregory Bialecki (Housing and Economic Development) and Glen Shor (Administration and Finance), oversees the agency’s operations and programs. The SAB, chaired by Dr. Harvey F. Lodish, Member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Professor of Biology and Professor of Bioengineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, advises the Center on investment decisions and program development.
Through the MLSC, Massachusetts is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the state’s life sciences ecosystem. These investments are being made under the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, proposed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007, and passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick in 2008.
“Adelene Perkins is a leader in our state’s thriving Life Sciences community, and she will be a terrific addition to the Life Sciences Center’s Board of Directors,” said Governor Patrick. “The Commonwealth is fortunate to have her talent, as well as the talents of these four well-qualified new SAB members, at the table to help guide the Center’s investment decisions as we continue the successful implementation of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative.”
Ms. Perkins has served as Infinity’s president and chief executive officer since 2009 and as board chair since 2012. Ms. Perkins first joined Infinity as chief business officer in 2002 and was named president in 2008. She has played an integral role in leading the company, guiding its transition from a platform to a product-focused organization, building the team and forming strategic partnerships to advance the company’s product pipeline and establish a strong financial foundation. Ms. Perkins has more than 25 years of international business experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, focused on building and leading high-caliber, cross-functional teams, corporate strategy, licensing and business development, strategic finance, and product life cycle management. Prior to Infinity, she held leadership positions at TransForm Pharmaceuticals, Genetics Institute and Bain & Company.
Ms. Perkins will fill the seventh seat on the board. Other Board members include President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Edward J. Benz Jr., M.D., Founder and CEO (retired) of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Josh Boger, Ph.D, President of The University of Massachusetts, Robert L. Caret, Ph.D and Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Cytonome/ST, Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Ph.D.
“Massachusetts has become the global leader in life sciences through initiatives that bring together our thriving medical, academic, industry and government communities,” stated Ms. Perkins. “The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center fosters and extends this collaborative environment, bringing together public and private organizations from around the world to propel innovation, create jobs and advance human health and well-being. I look forward to working with the Board and leaders at the Center in advancing its important mission.”
“We are so pleased to welcome Adelene Perkins as the newest member of our Board of Directors,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the MLSC. “The Board is the final arbiter of all of our major investments decisions, so we rely on these experts to ensure that the Center is making the best use of the public dollars that are under our stewardship. We greatly appreciate Adelene’s willingness to add her strong industry knowledge and background to the leadership of the Life Sciences Initiative. ”
Profiles and quotes for new SAB members:
Frederick J. Schoen, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Pathology and Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard Medical School. He is also the Executive Vice-Chairman for the Department of Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and the Director of the BWH Biomedical Research Institute Technology Innovation Program. Schoen has extensive experience in preclinical and clinical development and evaluation of heart valve substitutes and other medical devices, translational innovation, and academic-corporate collaboration.
“I am most enthusiastic to join the SAB and thereby contribute to the selection of strategic opportunities that leverage public investment in Massachusetts’ life sciences sector, and help maintain the strong legacy of effective collaborative, economic growth stimulation and job creation established by the MLSC since its inception,” said Schoen.
Hillel Bachrach joins the Scientific Advisory Board with over 30 years of hands-on experience as an entrepreneur, as well as great success in innovative medical technologies. Bachrach is the managing partner of
20/20 HealthCare Partners LLC. Previous work includes co-founding ESC Medical, (now Lumenis), Msq, (now Alma Lasers) and Orex Computed Radiography. He is now the active Chairman of Viztek & UltraSPECT and on the BOD of: Corindus, SRS as well as other healthcare and hi-tech companies also funded by
20/20 HealthCare Partners.
“I am thrilled to join the SAB and be part of the MLSC’s mission and vision. I look forward to working with other SAB members and serving the Commonwealth,” said Hillel Bachrach.
Frederick “Rick” Jones, M.D., manages day-to-day operations of Broadview Ventures, including identification and screening of new opportunities, due diligence, negotiation of deal structure and portfolio company board involvement. Previously, Rick founded Spordiff Therapeutics. Rick was also the CEO of Anchor Therapeutics after leadership positions in management, business development and medical affairs at several biotech and pharma companies. Rick began his career practicing internal medicine.
”I look forward to bringing my broad background to assist the MLSC in its mission to support Massachusetts biotech companies and maintain the state’s leadership in the industry,” said Frederick Jones, M.D..
Alison Lawton has been involved in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology world for 29 years. Her background includes 21 years at Genzyme Corporation as well as seven years in the U.K. at Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis. Most recently, Lawton was COO of OvaScience. Previously, Lawton has served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sanofi Biosurgery. and as Senior Vice President of Global Market Access for Genzyme. Lawton currently serves on the board of directors for Cubist Pharmaceuticals and Verastem Inc.
“MLSC is an important organization promoting life sciences innovation in Massachusetts and I am delighted to be part of this by participating on the SAB ,” said Alison Lawton.
“Our Scientific Advisory Board members play a critical role in the Center’s review processes and investment decisions” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the MLSC. “SAB members are experts from the life sciences industry, the investment community and academia, and their diverse perspectives help ensure that the Center is making the best use of public dollars. We are excited and grateful that these four experts are willing to contribute their time, talent and expertise.”
