Dr. Daniel P. Getman
A Scientific Home Run
A leading scientist and a respected spokesperson, Daniel Getman, Ph.D., is a strong advocate for the value of pharmaceutical innovation. His extensive insight into medicinal chemistry has made Dr. Getman, VP of global research and development, director, St. Louis Laboratories, an invaluable asset to Pfizer, and he brings to his roles deep insights from his experiences with the transition from discovery into early clinical trials. In his 24 years in the pharmaceutical industry, including positions with Monsanto/Searle, Pharmacia, and Pfizer, Dr. Getman served in various leadership positions of increasing responsibility, such as director of medicinal chemistry and cochair of the exploratory development committee. An active member of the St. Louis community, Dr. Getman serves on the boards of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) and the St. Louis Science Center, and he is a member of the Washington University School of Medicine National Council, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2004, he chaired the St. Louis Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Charity Walk. The enthusiasm he has for the work he and his colleagues do carries into his private life, with his passion for baseball and baseball history. Dr. Getman actively collects signature baseballs and, along with his 17-year-old daughter, he is in the process of visiting the 30 major league baseball stadiums. Daniel P. Getman, Ph.D., VP of Global Research and Development, and Director of St. Louis Laboratories at Pfizer Inc., is a staunch representative for Pfizer and other research-based pharmaceutical companies within business, governmental, and scientific organizations. Education B.S. in chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota Family Wife, Kathy; Two Daughters Hobbies Baseball history Dr. Nancy Gillett An outstanding ambassador for veterinary medicine worldwide, Nancy Gillett, DVM, Ph.D., combines deep scientific expertise and business savvy in her role as corporate senior VP and president of global preclinical services at Charles River Laboratories. Over the past two years, Dr. Gillett has restructured and streamlined the company’s discovery and development services business into one of the three major players in the market of outsourced preclinical services. With 19 years of experience as an American College of Veterinary board-certified pathologist and scientific manager, Dr. Gillett has long been recognized by industry peers as a national leader in her field. This is evidenced by her appointment as councilor, president-elect, and president of the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists. In addition, she served as liaison to the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the International Life Sciences Institute. Dr. Gillett also has served as a member of the Department of Energy Office of Health and Environmental Research Task Force on Biological Effects, the Steering Committee for the International Life Sciences Institute Seminar Series on Advanced Pathologic Techniques, and the Drug Metabolism, Pathology and Toxicology Steering Committee for the Pharmaceutical Education and Research Institute. First honing her scientific expertise at the Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute in Albuquerque, N.M., Dr. Gillett joined Genentech in 1990, where she was senior veterinary pathologist and senior scientist. Through her affiliation with the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine as an adjunct associate professor, she was instrumental in establishing the Purdue Genentech graduate fellowship, which funded the entire graduate program of a pathology trainee. In 1994, Dr. Gillett joined Sierra Biomedical Inc. in Sparks, Nev. After the company was bought by Charles River Laboratories in 1999, Dr. Gillett assumed leadership of the laboratory in Nevada as president and general manager and has steadily assumed roles of increasing managerial responsibility. In recognition of her outstanding contributions in toxicologic pathology that have had a profound impact on animal and human health, Dr. Gillett received an honorary doctor of science degree from Purdue University. Nancy Gillett, DVM, Ph.D., Corporate Senior VP and President of Global Preclinical Services of Charles River Laboratories, has long been recognized by industry peers as one of the nation’s leading pathologists. Education B.S. and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in comparative pathology from the University of California, Davis First Job Internship at South Shore Veterinary Associates, South Weymouth, Mass. Dr. Roger Newton A Heartfelt Commitment Whether at work or within the community, Roger Newton, Ph.D., leaves an enduring and positive impression among colleagues and upon those with whom he comes into contact. Instrumental in changing the treatment of atherosclerosis, Dr. Newton has been a pioneer in the discovery and development of innovative products to treat coronary symptoms and high cholesterol. Dr. Newton played a significant role in the discovery of the cholesterol- lowering drug Lipitor and is committed to the goal of reducing death and disability from heart disease and stroke. An active member of the American Heart Association, Dr. Newton was the 2001-2002 chair of the AHA Heart Walk and serves on the board of directors of the Michigan-based Washtenaw County Chapter of the AHA. For the past 30 years, Dr. Newton’s research interests have focused on the nutritional and pharmacological regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism as they relate to atherosclerosis and vascular diseases. He is an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School and has coauthored almost 100 peer-reviewed articles and chapters during his research career. Despite his busy schedule as senior VP and director of Esperion Therapeutics, a division of Pfizer, Dr. Newton finds time to make significant contributions to society. An active member of his community, Dr. Newton is president of the Esperance Family Foundation, a family run organization that assists other nonprofit national and international programs focusing on human potential, health, and the environment. He supports cultural and arts programs in Ann Arbor and other Michigan communities and involves himself in several agencies that deliver positive messages for both adults and children. In addition, he is on the board of Rubicon Genomics, the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center National Advisory Board, the Biotech Business Associates Advisory Board, Golden Courage International, and the University Musical Society. Roger Newton, Ph.D., Senior VP and Director at Esperion Therapeutics, a division of Pfizer Global Research & Development, played a significant role in the discovery of Lipitor and is committed to the goal of reducing death and disability from heart disease and stroke. Personal data Born May 1, 1950 Education B.A. in biology and German from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa.; M.S. in nutrition from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.; Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis, Calif.; Postdoctoral fellowship in medicine at the University of California, San Diego Family Married, two sons, one daughter Dr. Polina Voloshko At The Heart Of It All With a great-grandfather who was a physician who served the Russian Czar and his family, a grandfather and a father who were both cardiologists, and a mother who was a pediatrician, it’s little wonder that Polina Voloshko became a doctor, for she literally grew up in the hospital. A highly respected cardiologist with 22 years of experience, Dr. Voloshko has for the last seven years built and led an outstanding team of physicians who have consistently set industry standards for quality and clinical relevance in cardiac-safety data. Practicing invasive and noninvasive clinical cardiology at the Republican Institute of Cardiology in Riga, Latvia, Dr. Voloshko was the youngest in her class to graduate from medical school. After graduating, she took a job as a primary-care physician in the tough neighborhood of Riga. At 24, she was exposed to all types of disease — familiar or not — in a university hospital, where she maintains that she learned more in one and a half years than all her schooling combined. After completing a cardiology fellowship, she served as the chief of cardiology of an 80-bed MI department at University Hospital. Withstanding the teasing for being young and female, she proved herself there and headed to the United States to pursue her next endeavor — a research fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. That in turn led her to the nonprofit Ischemia Research and Education Foundation, predecessor to her current company Gentiae, where Dr. Voloshko spent 18 months, first as a research scientist overseeing multicenter clinical trials and then as associate director of cardiovascular clinical services. Today, her position as VP of cardiovascular services with Gentiae has her juggling multiple responsibilities, including project oversight, supervising the scientists and project managers, budget management, liaising with and advising other members of the senior management committee, and interacting with clients, potential clients, and professional organizations. A recognized expert in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device community, Dr. Voloshko is also a consultant, a thought leader, and a respected speaker. Moreover, she is fluent in four languages — English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Latvian. In recognition of her expertise, Dr. Voloshko was commissioned by the FDA to help define parameters around the recent QT guideline by defining best practices for conducting cardiac safety tests. As one of the only female thought leaders in the clinical cardiac safety industry, Dr. Voloshko brings a unique blend of science and administrative leadership to Gentiae’s core laboratory team of cardiologists, securing her status as a role model for both men and women in the field. A recognized expert in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical-device community, Polina Voloshko, M.D., VP of Cardiovascular Services at Gentiae, is also a consultant, a thought leader, and a respected speaker. Personal data Born Aug. 1, 1956, in Riga, Latvia Education M.D., Magna Cum Laude, First St. Petersburg Medical School, Russia Hobbies Reading, piano, swimming, and shopping Toughest task Building a company from scratch and being the “new kid on the block” in a sea of established industry figureheads Dr. Russell Ellison Staying Connected While working as a community GP in an isolated area off the coast of the Alaska Panhandle, Russell Ellison, M.D., learned the value of personal attachment and the importance of unstinting professionalism and rigor. As is true in most small, rural communities, such as Queen Charlotte Island, where Dr. Ellison was one of two physicians in a community of 10,000, the doctor knows most of his or her patients socially, and Dr. Ellison quickly learned that what his patients wanted was to know he personally cared about what happened to them. This concern and connectedness is something Dr. Ellison carries with him today in his role as VP of clinical development at FibroGen. He seeks to ensure his staff members understand their work has a larger significance, providing clarity around what the company ultimately is seeking to accomplish by a single tactic or an overall strategy and keeping everyone focused on caring about that outcome. A visionary leader who understands intrinsically the issues that the pharma industry is encountering, Dr. Ellison maintains that safety concerns, reimbursement changes, and attacks on the industry have allowed companies to become distracted from the fundamental problems underscoring growing discontent from the public, the financial community, and even employees. Instead, he believes that the problem lies with the outmoded model for discovery, development, and commercialization. It is likely, he believes, that rather than large-scale change within the industry, a few forward-thinking companies will change the status quo by the way they tackle finding and bringing truly useful medicines to market. Dr. Ellison is striving to put FibroGen at the forefront of such a movement through its cutting-edge approach to the development of discoveries related to tissue fibrosis, diabetic complications, oral affordable treatments for anemia, and new paradigms for the management of acute ischemia through tissue protection. With more than 27 years in the industry, Dr. Ellison is well-equipped to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Already, he has proven his mettle, developing the first industrywide risk management program — for Accutane while working for Roche — and has been a leader in data mining of existing clinical-trials data to make more informed outcomes decisions. Russell Ellison, M.D., M.Sc., VP of Clinical Development at FibroGen Inc., seeks to ensure his staff members understand that their work has a larger significance, providing clarity around what the company is seeking to accomplish, and keeping everyone focused on caring about that outcome. Personal Data Born 1947 in Vancouver, British Columbia Education M.Sc. in community health from the Ross Institute, London University and an M.D. from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver What Inspires Him Courage, which requires being acutely aware of the risks but acting decisively anyway On His Reading List Against Method by Paul Feyerabend; Europe Central by William Vollmann To access a FREE Podcast for thought-leader perspective go to pharmavoice.com/podcasts. Dr. Barry Furr Putting Science First in the Pursuit of Cures An infectious enthusiasm for science applied to drug discovery has made Barry Furr, Ph.D., M.Sc., an inspiration to his colleagues and the broader scientific community. During his career, Dr. Furr has made significant contributions to several fields of research. In the area of endocrinology research, he enhanced understanding of the control of pituitary hormone release in ovulation. A versatile bioscientist, Dr. Furr expanded his professional career by joining Zeneca (ICI) and produced one of the first truly specific progesterone antibodies, which was used as the basis of a successful radioimmunoassay. His further work on radioimmunoassays for pituitary and steroid hormones led to the development of two prostaglandins marketed as Estrumate and Equimate for veterinary medicine. Much of Dr. Furr’s career has been spent in the field of oncology, and his research and dedication has led to multiple pharmaceutical treatments for a variety of cancers. When he was asked to head the AstraZeneca Research Centre in Bangalore, India, and to refocus it on tuberculosis, it was quite a challenge to change course. But his own professionalism and the work being conducted by the center’s scientists have helped make it a leading and internationally recognized center for TB drug discovery, which Dr. Furr describes as a source of tremendous pleasure for him. Outside of work, Dr. Furr finds joy and pride in his family, saying his wife of 36 years, a modern languages teacher, has been a constant support and has borne his commitment to the job with good humor. In the lab, his open and honest appraisal of issues and the genuine interest he shows in the success of his colleagues’ projects have made him the type of leader who is able to set direction and win the support of the scientists who work with him. Over the years, Dr. Furr has received numerous awards for his work, including The Society for Drug Research Award for Drug Discovery for the discovery and development of Zoladex, The Jubilee Medal of the Society for Endocrinology for cancer research and services to Endocrinology, and the Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to cancer drug discovery. With a belief that science must always drive decisions, Dr. Furr deplores a preoccupation within the industry for process and box ticking. Instead he u ges the industry as a whole to prioritize and select from the unprecedented range of new technologies available, those that will reduce the horrendous and costly attrition across the drug discovery value chain. Former Chief Scientist and Head of Research Project Evaluation Group at AstraZeneca, Barry Furr, Ph.D., M.Sc., offers an open and honest appraisal of issues and shows genuine interest in the success of his colleagues’ projects. Personal data Born Nov. 17, 1943 Education B.Sc. in chemistry, microbiology, and physiological chemistry from the University of Reading, U.K.; B.Sc. (Special Honors) in physiological chemistry from the University of Reading; Ph.D. in reproductive endocrinology from the University of Reading Family Wife of 36 years, Marnie; 1 son, 2 daughters, 1 grandson Career highlight Produced one of the first truly specific progesterone antibodies, which was used as the basis of a successful radioimmunoassay Biggest industry challenge Prioritizing and selecting from the unprecedented range of new technologies available Dr. Amir H. Kalali A Bridge Builder Described as a pioneer in the field of CNS drug development, Amir Kalali, M.D., is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to improve drug development in the CNS field and to enhance the success of clinical trials by ensuring they are ethical and well conducted. Dr. Kalali, who was also one of last year’s PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring people, has dedicated his career to achieving these goals by constantly challenging the status quo. The CNS innovator develops and presents new ideas for the future of the industry, then proceeds to put together the team to turn his ideas into reality. One key example of his proactive approach to problem solving is the formation of the International Society for CNS Drug Development (ISCDD), of which he was the founding chairman of the executive committee. Through ISCDD, Dr. Kalali has built bridges between the pharmaceutical industry, academics, key opinion leaders, and the government to drive scientific collaboration and encourage open discussion on how CNS drug development is being conducted. In his position at Quintiles as VP of medical and scientific services, global therapeutic group leader, CNS, Dr. Kalali focuses on developing novel compounds for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, and he is responsible for the medical and scientific aspects of clinical trials in psychiatry and neurology. A tireless worker, Dr. Kalali also presents at national and international scientific meetings, lectures frequently on psychopharmacological and drug development topics, and is the editor of the Journal of Psychiatry. Amir H. Kalali, M.D., VP of Medical and Scientific Services, Global Therapeutic Group Leader, CNS, at Quintiles, is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to improve drug development and enhance the success of clinical trials. Personal data Born May 4, 1965, Tehran, Iran Education Medical degree, and specialty training — London First job Medical intern Hobbies Travel, photography, technology Dr. Jan Lundberg Discovery Architect and Productivity Enhancer Architect and leader of AstraZeneca’s postmerger discovery organization, Jan Lundberg, M.B., Ph.D., has been a key player in some of the company’s most formative events. In 1999, when Astra and Zeneca joined forces, Dr. Lundberg was a member of the merger planning, design, and implementation group for R&D. He has played a pivotal role in the decisions regarding the company’s global discovery efforts to become a major force in pharma, more then doubling its output over a five-year period. An expert in the areas related to mechanisms of cell signaling in the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, Dr. Lundberg has won a variety of research awards and is a widely published and highly cited author in the areas of biology and biochemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience. In his role as executive VP, head of global discovery research and member of the senior executive team, Dr. Lundberg guides work being conducted at 14 different sites in seven countries, and comprises almost 6,000 of the company’s 12,000 R&D employees. He has oversight of the company’s research areas: respiratory and inflammation, cancer and infection, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal, and CNS and pain control, as well as enabling technologies, informatics, safety assessment, DMPK, and process R&D. His stamina is evident both at work and in his personal pursuits — Dr. Lundberg is a 12 time Vasa race skier, a 90km (56 mile) cross-country ski race, and a former elite hockey player. Executive VP, Head of Global Discovery Research, and Member of the AstraZeneca Senior Executive team, Jan M. Lundberg, M.B., Ph.D., has been a key architect of the company’s postmerger discovery organization, helping to enhance productivity. Personal data Born May 7, 1953, in Ransäter, Sweden Education M.B. from the Medical School, Gothenburg, Sweden; Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden Career Highlights Anders Jahres Scandinavian Research Award in 1988; Erik Fernström Research Award in 1993 Hobbies Ice hockey, cross-country skiing, golf, hunting, and fly-fishing Dr. Francis Tally A life-changing experience in Vietnam led Frank Tally, M.D., into the field of infectious diseases and the search for treatments that could save lives. As a young doctor and captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Vietnam, Dr. Tally treated American troops and local Vietnamese victims who contracted infectious diseases, including plague. When he returned to the United States, instead of entering private practice, he turned to academia and then industry in the search for better ways to treat infectious diseases. That commitment truly paid off for Cubist Pharmaceuticals when Dr. Tally, senior VP and chief scientific officer, and his team found a novel dosing regimen that led to the successful approval and commercialization of Cubicin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (CSSSI). Cubicin’s active ingredient, daptomycin, had been discovered by Eli Lilly scientists in the late 1970s, but after some research and clinical trials, the company suspended human studies in spite of its efficacy against the “super bug,” a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), because of concerns about muscle toxicity. Motivated by the growing problem with drug-resistant forms of S. aureus, Dr. Tally in-licensed daptomycin to Cubist. He and his team, through counter-intuitive thinking, found that the potential toxicity issues, involving skeletal muscle only, were related to the time between doses and the trough levels of the drug. The risk/benefit equation for going forward now made sense. A new dosing regimen reduced the problem, which was easily detected and reversible. And by giving the daily dose in one half-hour infusion, efficacy also improved. In 2003, the FDA approved Cubicin as a new antibiotic to treat CSSSI, and earlier this year it was approved for a first of its kind indication to treat serious bloodstream and heart infections caused by S. aureus. Over the years, Dr. Tally has made significant contributions to the discovery and introduction of important new anti-infectives. He is the co-inventor on many drug-development patents, has received many awards, has authored multiple publications and peer-reviewed journals, presented at international infectious disease forums, served on several boards and committees, and is the industry advisor to the Task Force on Antimicrobial Availability of the Infectious Disease Society of America. With focus and dedication, Francis P. Tally, M.D., has helped Cubist transform in the past decade from a small company of about 40 employees to what it is today — a successful, 408-employee, publicly traded company with a growing revenue stream. Personal data Born May 17, 1940, in Providence, R.I. Education A.B. in biology from Providence College and an M.D. from George Washington University School of Medicine First Job Internship at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, D.C. On his reading list Washington’s General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway and 1776 by David McCullough Career highlights Rising to a high level in the research area of the academic world — able to both see patients and head-up a molecular biology laboratory; registration of of two antibiotics: Cubicin and Zosyn; discovery of the glycylcyclines that led to the licensing of Tigecycline Infectious Commitment