Marketing Ideas

Joanna Horobin, MD, is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Syndax Pharmaceuticals and has over 25 years of pharmaceutical experience spanning clinical development, marketing & general management. Prior to Syndax, she was Vice President of Oncology at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi-Aventis) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CombinatoRx (now Zalicus). She also spent a year as Entrepteneur in Residence at the VC firm MPM Capital. At Rhone-Poulenc Rorer she built the global oncology business, launching Taxotere^® ,Campto^® , and Granocyte^® and led a succcessful joint venture with the Japanese company Chugai. Dr. Horobin qualified in medicine from the University of Manchester, England.

Renuka Babu is Senior Vice President Finance & Business Development at Medicine in Need (MEND), a nonprofit that applies emerging and advanced delivery and manufacturing technologies to drug and vaccine candidates for diseases of poverty. Ms. Babu is responsible for overseeing MEND’s finances and business development relationships with its for-profit and not-for-profit clients. Prior to MEND, Ms. Babu was in the business development group at ArQule, a clinical stage oncology focused biotech where she was involved in financing, strategy and structuring of clinical development partnerships. Ms. Babu also spent 5 years at J.P. Morgan, Inc. working within both the structured finance group and corporate finance group where she covered healthcare companies. Ms. Babu holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Cat Oyler is Senior Director, Emerging Technologies at Johnson and Johnson where she is responsible for identifying emerging health care related technologies, assessing their technical and business risks and facilitating their integration into the J&J product lines. She works with local area faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to identify innovative product/business opportunities that will fill strategic gaps in J&J's current portfolio. Formerly from AstraZeneca, Ms. Oyler was responsible for evaluating and in-licensing clinical and marketed oncology products. Additionally, Ms. Oyler led the business development effort for out-licensing of AstraZeneca's oncology assets and assisted with strategic planning for oncology business development. She also served in a progression of business development roles at Myriad Genetics, culminating in leading all diagnostic licensing for the Myriad Genetic Laboratories division of the company.  With over ten years of BD experience and more than 15 years of biotech experience, she has also previously held marketing and research scientist roles at Amgen, Alza and Alkermes. Ms. Oyler received an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. 

Cissy Young, PhD, is Director, Strategy & Business Development, Cerulean Pharma Inc, a biopharmaceutical company. Prior to this, Dr. Young was Director of Business Development at TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals, an oncology therapeutics company, where she spearheaded business development & licensing, market development and research collaboration management. She also worked closely with the executive team and supported key strategic events including financing and collaboration partnership implementation. Dr. Young was previously Technology Licensing Officer for Pennsylvania State University Technology Transfer, where she was responsible for licensing and managed the life sciences technology portfolio. She has a PhD in cancer biology from Columbia University and an MBA from Penn State University.

Cost:

Advance Registration Registration available at the door:
$35 for WEST Members, $45 for non-WEST members

At the Door: $10 additional.  Student Scholarship Information

Refreshments are included.

THIS IS A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE EVENT: All WEST members will receive a WEST Logo gift! Join now and also receive a complimentary event registration for a friend!

Event Location:

200 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge (One block from Alewife T stop)

Pfizer (formerly Wyeth) Cafeteria. Free parking available.

DIRECTIONS

Agenda:

6:00-7:00 Registration, Networking and Refreshments

7:00-8:30 Panel Discussion

8:30-9:00 Networking and Refreshments

Registration available at the door

Sponsors