Derek Lowe, an Arkansan by birth, got his BA from Hendrix College and his PhD in organic chemistry from Duke before spending time in Germany on a Humboldt Fellowship on his post-doc. He's worked for several major pharmaceutical companies since 1989 on drug discovery projects against schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, diabetes, osteoporosis and other diseases.
To contact Derek email him directly: derekb.lowe@gmail.com
Twitter: Dereklowe
I would be neglecting my duties if I didn't mention Adam Feuerstein's "Worst Biotech CEO of 2011" voting, which is going on here. If you have a strong opinion on this matter - and opinions on such things tend to be strong - then hop over and make yours known.
I think in the end we'll find biotech/pharmas woes are tied to the same psychopaths who have taken over the financial system.
In many ways the financial systems problems have directly impacted biotech since the markets no longer function as a vehicle to efficiently allocate capital, but rather act in the short term interest of the deviant CEOS.
There are no good guys anymore, just cabals of manipulators and criminals.
Does AMRI count? I guess they are not a Biotech but their CEO has certainly screwed things up since deciding that General Electric people know how to set the direction for the company. They have lost many good people over the past 3 years and are a shell of themselves today.
7. Anonymous on December 1, 2011 9:15 PM writes...
Sudhir Agrawal of Idera. The guy is making oligonucleotide based drugs. He either does know what he is doing or pretends not to know that oligonucleotides cannot get into cells except hepatocytes.
9. Anonymous on December 2, 2011 2:09 AM writes...
Why not run a blog on the "BEST" CEO of 2011? There's so much crap out there. Let's focus on the positive and the "movers, shakers and bakers". HHAAAA should be interesting!!!!
10. bbooooooya on December 2, 2011 8:23 AM writes...
"Why not run a blog on the "BEST" CEO of 2011?"
I think Feuerstein also does one of these each year.
Clear front runners this year have to be Schaeffer Price from VRUS (who got that ridiculous price from GILD, well done for this shareholders) and David Hung from Medivation.
11. BioBearHedge on December 2, 2011 12:30 PM writes...
Incompetent management is not all that bad. You can make a lot of money short-selling and or put options of these borderline fraudulent companies. In addition, the SEC tends to look the other way when you make big profits from short-selling by placing a bet on negative inside information. Be on the lookout for forced IPO’s of biotechs in the near future that will be ripe for a bombing from a naked short-sell block trade.
College chemistry, 1983
The 2002 Model
After 10 years of blogging. . .
1. johnnyboy on December 1, 2011 10:39 AM writes...
Get in there and vote for the Makena guy - he's the most deserving of the bunch.
Permalink to Comment2. Nick on December 1, 2011 1:26 PM writes...
I think in the end we'll find biotech/pharmas woes are tied to the same psychopaths who have taken over the financial system.
In many ways the financial systems problems have directly impacted biotech since the markets no longer function as a vehicle to efficiently allocate capital, but rather act in the short term interest of the deviant CEOS.
There are no good guys anymore, just cabals of manipulators and criminals.
Permalink to Commentjessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/2011/11/other-one-percent-corporate-psychopaths.html
3. NH_chem on December 1, 2011 2:17 PM writes...
Does AMRI count? I guess they are not a Biotech but their CEO has certainly screwed things up since deciding that General Electric people know how to set the direction for the company. They have lost many good people over the past 3 years and are a shell of themselves today.
Permalink to Comment4. tedthechemist on December 1, 2011 4:52 PM writes...
My vote goes to David Brennan - not sure if AZ is a 'biotech' - they claim to be...but as a company-destroying incompetent tosser, he cannot be beaten
Permalink to Comment5. Anonymous on December 1, 2011 8:58 PM writes...
@ 3 You mean General Eclectic???
Permalink to Comment6. Anonymous on December 1, 2011 9:09 PM writes...
I voted the Gilead guy 50 times. Such a stupid deal or guy! I was wondering if he would have done it if the money were his.
Permalink to Comment7. Anonymous on December 1, 2011 9:15 PM writes...
Sudhir Agrawal of Idera. The guy is making oligonucleotide based drugs. He either does know what he is doing or pretends not to know that oligonucleotides cannot get into cells except hepatocytes.
Permalink to Comment8. Not an Amgenite anymore! on December 1, 2011 9:53 PM writes...
Why in the world is Kevin Sharer not on this list?
Permalink to Comment9. Anonymous on December 2, 2011 2:09 AM writes...
Why not run a blog on the "BEST" CEO of 2011? There's so much crap out there. Let's focus on the positive and the "movers, shakers and bakers". HHAAAA should be interesting!!!!
Permalink to Comment10. bbooooooya on December 2, 2011 8:23 AM writes...
"Why not run a blog on the "BEST" CEO of 2011?"
I think Feuerstein also does one of these each year.
Clear front runners this year have to be Schaeffer Price from VRUS (who got that ridiculous price from GILD, well done for this shareholders) and David Hung from Medivation.
Permalink to Comment11. BioBearHedge on December 2, 2011 12:30 PM writes...
Incompetent management is not all that bad. You can make a lot of money short-selling and or put options of these borderline fraudulent companies. In addition, the SEC tends to look the other way when you make big profits from short-selling by placing a bet on negative inside information. Be on the lookout for forced IPO’s of biotechs in the near future that will be ripe for a bombing from a naked short-sell block trade.
Permalink to Comment12. cliffintokyo on December 5, 2011 3:54 AM writes...
@9: Not sure whether you are serious, but the scientist-execs (if there are any left) would be at the top of my list - need to investigate.....
Permalink to Comment