Strategies for Diagnostics Companies
Diagnostics have generally been regarded as having a lower regulatory barrier than therapeutics with associated faster path to market and lower margins. But is that true? Our distinguished panelists will discuss what makes a successful clinical test, regulatory paths for diagnostics, funding strategies and market opportunities for new diagnostics.
Panelists will include:
Ellen Jo Baron is Assistant Chair the Department of Pathology at Stanford University and Director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at the Stanford University Medical Center. Her laboratory evaluates cutting-edge new technology for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases, and works with high-tech companies to help them develop new diagnostic assays at the pre-market stage.
Richard M. Thayer is a business advisor in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors and Principal with the consulting firm of Halteres Associates, LLC. Recently, he became Chief Executive of The Catalysis Foundation for Health, an organization addressing gaps in global healthcare caused by inefficiencies in disease diagnosis and monitoring. Previously Rich was VP and Head of Business Development at Roche Molecular Diagnostics, including responsibility for strategic planning, and VP, Head of their $260MM Global Blood Screening Business Unit. Prior to joining Roche, Rich co-founded and served as CFO and member of the Board of a medical diagnostics company called Praxsys Biosystems, Inc. While at Praxsys Rich oversaw finance, corporate and manufacturing operations and was an inventor on 2 issued and 1 pending patent. Rich was also Director of the Blood Screening and Infectious Disease Business Unit at Chiron Corporation where he managed product development and manufacturing programs involving over 60 products and 200 employees. Rich started his 20+ year career at Chiron in the DNA sequencing laboratory where he was a member of the hepatitis C virus discovery team.
Mike Whittaker currently has a private legal practice providing intellectual property counseling, with a primary emphasis in biotechnology. Mike was formerly Vice President of Intellectual Properties for Biosite Incorporated, leaving in January, 2008 following Biosite's acquisition by Inverness Medical Innovations for $1.6B. While at Biosite, Mike was responsible for strategic guidance and direction with regard to worldwide intellectual property issues.
