Gender Bias

Former Lawyer Sues Synthetic Genomics “Boys Club” over Gender Bias
September 21st, 2017

Against a contentious backdrop of a gender gap in the life sciences, a lawyer who spent more than eight years managing intellectual property at San Diego’s Synthetic Genomics (SGI) has sued the star-studded company for discriminating against women.

In a state civil lawsuit filed September 7, Teresa Spehar alleges that SGI is permeated by a “boy’s club” atmosphere that routinely discriminated against Spehar and other female employees. Her suit alleges that SGI pays men more than women for “substantially similar work,” and that the company’s male executives denigrate women, discount their contributions, and exclude women from significant roles and decision-making at the company.

As Synthetic Genomics’ vice president of intellectual property, Spehar was excluded from executive meetings involving partnerships, deals, and decisions involving intellectual property, according to the lawsuit. Spehar, whose salary at SGI was $275,000, also contends that her male co-workers were paid more for equivalent work. She is seeking unspecified damages from the company, which terminated her employment in June.

In a statement released Wednesday through a spokeswoman, Synthetic Genomics CEO Oliver Fetzer proclaims, “Discrimination because of gender goes against everything I stand for.” Fetzer declines to comment specifically on the litigation, and says SGI will vigorously defend itself against the allegations. Spehar’s gender discrimination claims are without merit, he says.

Fetzer’s statement acknowledges a broader context to the complaint, saying, “across the life science industry there is a persistent gap in male and female representation on Boards and in C-Suites. This has been an area of focus and commitment from the Synthetic Genomics board and our entire leadership team. We have a full diversity initiative internally and gender diversity is an important focus area within that initiative.”

“I believe diversity brings differing perspectives and management styles and this diversity of thinking plays a role in driving innovation,” Fetzer adds. “At Synthetic Genomics, we work to ensure that women are valued, supported and encouraged to be at the forefront of our highly innovative and critical work.”

But the facts reflect a different reality, according to Josh Gruenberg, a San Diego lawyer representing Spehar.

Out of the top 14 executives at Synthetic Genomics, Gruenberg says only two are women today. According to the lawsuit, there are no women in seven C-level positions at SGI; two of the company’s nine vice presidents are female; three of 13 senior directors are women; two of 10 directors are female; and three of 17 senior scientists are women.

“My client will say there were never any executive meetings where this was discussed, Gruenberg said. “The lack of women [in leadership roles] was never a focus of the company.”

Fetzer’s statement indicates the company may adopt a “best athlete” defense. The CEO asserts that “Synthetic Genomics is committed to an environment with a positive culture in which the best minds—regardless of gender, ethnicity or race—are equally valued.” In other words, corporate rewards flow to the best and brightest—and Synthetic Genomics is rich in talent.

The human genome pioneer J. Craig Venter co-founded the company in 2005, and continues to serve as chairman and co-chief scientific officer. Venter’s co-founders include the Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith, who also is listed as co-chief scientific officer, and Juan Enriquez, managing director of Excel Venture Management. All three also serve on the company’s 11-member board, which includes CEO Fetzer, Draper Fisher Jurvetson managing director Steve Jurvetson, Plenus chairman and CEO Alfonso Romo, and Raydiance chairman and CEO Barry Schuler. The only woman on the board is former Genoptix CEO Tina Nova, who is now the CEO of Molecular Stethoscope.

The 13-page complaint includes a specific allegation that Venter made a crude comment to Michele Champagne, SGI’s former director of nutritional product development, that “mortified and humiliated” her during an August 31, 2016, dinner meeting with executives from General Mills, a major corporate client. According to the allegation, when Venter arrived at the meeting, he wrapped his arm around Champagne and said loudly, “Looks like you’re the only one without a penis here,” or words to that effect.

Asked for Venter’s response to this allegation, a Venter representative referred Xconomy to SGI, saying “the suit pertains to them.” Carin Canale-Theakston, the outside spokeswoman who provided Fetzer’s statement, said SGI would not comment on specific claims.

According to Gruenberg, Champagne “really expected some help and comfort from her co-workers” at the dinner, but no one objected that evening, or tried to address the issue afterward. Gruenberg added that Spehar expected SGI’s management to discuss the incident, or to arrange training on appropriate policies regarding gender discrimination and harassment. “Instead,” according to the lawsuit, “Champagne simply disappeared with no explanation and everything was ‘swept under the rug.’”

According to Spehar’s lawsuit, “women progressively flee the organization over the years as a result of [SGI’s] discriminatory practices.”

Spehar, who holds a doctorate in pharmacology and molecular sciences from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a law degree from San Diego’s Western School of Law, did not flee, however.

Gruenberg alleges that SGI fired his client three months ago, after she complained about the company’s pervasive gender bias. “It’s going to be difficult for the company to show cause,” Gruenberg said. “There’s not one document that indicates her performance was criticized while she was there.”

 

Interesting.

 

Women in big pharma boards: still under-represented
22 September 2017 - 11:32
The magazine Fortune has published a list of the most powerful women in the US corporate arena. The list is led again by GM CEO Mary Barra, 55, and by Indra Nooyi, 61, PepsiCo CEO. However, surprisingly, women are almost totally absent from the pharmaceutical business, one of the leading and most innovating industries, yet still apparently dominated by men. The first woman in the list coming from the big pharma ranks 22nd – she is Johnson & Johnson Worldwide Chair Sandra Peterson, 58, who oversees over $40bn in revenue. Mylan N.V. CEO, Heather Bresch, 48, comes next: she is also one of the best-paid CEOs in the US. Another J&J manager, chairman Jennifer Taubert, 54, ranks 43. (Source: Fortune)

http://www.biopharmadive.com/news/fortunes-most-powerful-women-list-stresses-gender-gap-in-pharma/505463/

 

http://www.biopharmadive.com/news/fortunes-most-powerful-women-list-stresses-gender-gap-in-pharma/505463/

 

Charles W. Bishop, PhD - Chief Executive Officer

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Dr. Bishop has served as CEO of the OPKO Renal Division since it was formed from OPKO’s acquisition of Cytochroma Inc. on March 4, 2013. Dr. Bishop had served as President & CEO of Cytochroma since June 2006, bringing a wealth of management experience in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple disciplines including Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, and Business Development. Dr. Bishop co-founded Proventiv Therapeutics, LLC in September 2005 where he served as President. Proventiv Therapeutics, LLC, and its lead drug, CTAP101 Capsules, were acquired by Cytochroma in June 2006. During the period of September 1987 to June 2005, Dr. Bishop held various senior management positions at Bone Care International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCII), a public specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing vitamin D hormone therapies. Dr. Bishop’s positions with Bone Care included President, CEO, Director, Executive Vice President of Research and Development, and Chief Scientific Officer. He was the first full-time employee in Bone Care and he ran the Company from its inception until after the commercial launches of its first two products. Under Dr. Bishop's direction, Bone Care advanced a portfolio of proprietary vitamin D hormones and analogs to varying stages of development for SHPT, metabolic bone disease, psoriasis and cancers of the prostate, breast and colon. Dr. Bishop was responsible for the successful preparation and prosecution of three NDAs that ultimately led to U.S. marketing approvals for a novel vitamin D drug, named doxercalciferol, for SHPT in dialysis patients (Hectorol® 2.5 mcg Capsules and Hectorol® Injection) and pre-dialysis patients (Hectorol® 0.5 mcg Capsules). Bone Care was acquired for $720 million by Genzyme Corporation in July 2005. Prior to joining Bone Care, Dr. Bishop held various management positions in the Health Care Division of the Procter & Gamble Company. Dr. Bishop completed a four-year National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship in vitamin D Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his PhD degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, after earning an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia.

Thomas Nusbickel - Chief Commercial Officer

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Mr. Nusbickel has thirty years of commercial bio-pharmaceutical experience leading marketing and market access launches for specialty products at Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, Hospira and Pfizer. Prior to joining OPKO Health, Mr. Nusbickel was the Head of U.S. Market Access, Biosimilars for Hospira, a Pfizer company where he built an industry-leading account sales and market access team to support the launches of biosimilars. Mr. Nusbickel gained deep experience in the nephrology market at Amgen, leading the successful global launch of Sensipar and securing access and reimbursement for Aranesp and Epogen. He is recognized for his ability to develop and implement high impact product marketing and value messages and strategies to engage payers and marketing organizations to support product launches and life cycle management.

Martin Petkovich, PhD - Chief Scientific Officer

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Dr. Petkovich was a co-founder of Cytochroma Inc. and has provided scientific guidance as a full-time employee and currently as a consultant in the role of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Petkovich served as a Director of the Cytochroma until his appointment as CSO. Dr. Petkovich received his BSc from McMaster University in 1981 and PhD in Biochemistry in 1986 from the University of Toronto. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Pierre Chambon in Strasbourg, France from 1986 to 1989. He moved to Queen's University in 1990 to join the Departments of Biochemistry and Pathology and was appointed Full Professor in 1998.

Stephen A. Strugnell, PhD - Senior Director, Scientific Affairs

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Prior to joining OPKO, Dr. Strugnell founded Strugnell Consulting LLC in early 2010 and provided consulting services to the pharmaceutical industry and research foundations. Previously, Dr. Strugnell had served as Associate Scientific Director of Genzyme (NASDAQ: GENZ), a leading biotechnology company, from July 2005 to December 2009, working in multiple areas including Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Product Support. During the period of January 1998 to June 2005, Dr. Strugnell served as Associate Director, Preclinical Research at Bone Care International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCII), a public specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing vitamin D hormone therapies. Prior to joining Bone Care, Dr. Strugnell completed a four-year post-doctoral fellowship with Dr. Hector DeLuca, a world leader in vitamin D research and discoverer of many vitamin D compounds and analogs, and received his PhD degree in Biochemistry from Queen’s University under the direction of Dr. Glenville Jones, a world leader in the study of vitamin D metabolism.

Scott Moomaw - Vice President, Marketing

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Mr. Moomaw has deep experience with all facets of commercial strategy and tactical implementation developed and proven across large pharmaceutical companies and small biotechs. Prior to joining OPKO Mr. Moomaw built the marketing team at United Therapeutics. He led a portfolio of brands which treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, including the launch of Orenitram which generated $120 million in revenue during its first full year. He spent 10 years at Eli Lilly in a number of sales and marketing roles with increasing responsibility, culminating in the role of US Brand Leader for Forteo. Mr. Moomaw received an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a BS in Business from Miami University.

Harvey Felman - Senior Vice President, Marketing and Market Access

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Mr. Felman has over 25 years of management experience in the Managed Market segments. His career in Pharmaceuticals began with Ciba and Novartis, then Amgen, Hospira and Pfizer and now OPKO. His extensive knowledge of Managed Markets, his ability to develop innovative solutions to meet customer needs, and his focus on delivering results, provides the experienced leadership to OPKO's payer sales team.
Mr. Felman has built an extensive network of relationships at senior levels within the Managed Care Market. He continues to provide direction on established products and helps develop the strategy on new launch products. While at Amgen, he developed the positioning strategy for one of the major blockbuster products within their portfolio.
Harvey was a practicing Physician Assistant, managed a large multi-physician clinic system, and was Director of Medical Affairs at Chicago HMO. He has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees and is a US Navy veteran.

Akhtar Ashfaq, MD - Senior Vice President, Clinical Research & Development and Medical Affairs

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Dr. Ashfaq is an Internist and Nephrologist by training and is board certified in both internal medicine and nephrology. After finishing medical school, Dr. Ashfaq did his internal medicine internship and residency at Good Samaritan Hospital, University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was also a Chief Resident. He then joined North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University School of Medicine for fellowship in Nephrology. After completing fellowship, he joined a private practice in Lewistown, Pennsylvania for a short time. In 1997, Dr. Ashfaq was appointed on the faculty of North Shore University Hospital and then on the faculty of NS-LIJ Health System, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

 

Scientific Advisory Board

David Allen Bushinsky, M.D. Professor of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, and Chief, Nephrology Division, University of Rochester Medical Center

John Cunningham, D.M. Professor of Nephrology, UCL Medical School, London; Consultant Nephrologist, Royal Free Hospital, London, and The London Clinic; Physician, King Edward VII Hospital, London; Head of the Medical Household to HM the Queen; and Physician to the Queen.

Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Senior Scientist and Director, Bone Metabolism Laboratory Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University

Glenville Jones, Ph.D. Head of Biochemistry Department, Professor of Biochemistry & Medicine, Queen's University

Kevin Martin, M.D. Director of Research, Division of Nephrology, St. Louis University School of Medicine

L. Darryl Quarles, M.D. Director of Division of Nephrology, and Associate Dean for Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Isidro Salusky, M.D. Professor of Pediatric Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Director of Clinical Research Center, UCLA School of Medicine

Stuart Sprague, D.O. Chief, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, North Shore University Health System, and Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Myles Wolf, MD, MMSc Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

Interesting side note -
Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D.

Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Senior Scientist and Director, Bone Metabolism Laboratory Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University

Dr. Dawson-Hughes is Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and Director of the Bone Metabolism Laboratory at the Human Nutrition and Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Dr. Dawson-Hughes graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed an internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, MA. She became Chief Resident in Medicine at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and went on to complete a research fellowship in Endocrinology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. She has received recognition with the Individual National Research Service Award from Harvard Medical School, membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, and the Bolton L. Corson Medal from The Franklin Institute for excellence in research on the role of dietary calcium and vitamin D in promoting bone health. In 2012, she became a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, a group that oversees research and technology development on the International Space Station. She has published over 450 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, abstracts, and reviews.

ONE female physician on the Scientific Advisory Board. There are NINE members on the advisory board.

 

NOT ONE FEMALE ON THE Opko Renal Management Team. Very little diversity in the "good ole boy's club" executive management team. The few females that were hired into executive management had their jobs "eliminated" in the last 6 weeks (JN VP and BK Director). Does Dr. Frost realize that this isn't the 1960s?

 

Opko Health

Management Team
Phillip Frost, M.D.
Dr. Frost has been the CEO and Chairman of the Company since March 2007. Dr. Frost served as a director of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Limited, or Teva (NYSE:TEVA) from January 2006 until February 2015 and had previously served as Chairman of the Board of Teva from March 2010 until December 2014 and as Vice Chairman from January 2006 until March 2010. Dr. Frost had served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of IVAX Corporation from 1987 until its acquisition by Teva in January 2006. He was Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Florida from 1972 to 1986. Dr. Frost was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1972 until the acquisition of Key Pharmaceuticals by Schering Plough Corporation in 1986. Dr. Frost was named Chairman of the Board of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT:LTS), an investment banking, asset management, and securities brokerage firm providing services through its principal operating subsidiary, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., in July 2006 and has been a director of Ladenburg Thalmann from 2001 until 2002 and again since 2004. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami, the Skolkovo Foundation Scientific Advisory Council in Russia, the Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies in China, and The Florida Council of 100 and as a Trustee of each of the Miami Jewish Home for the Aged and the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Frost is also a director of Castle Brands (NYSE MKT:ROX), a developer and marketer of premium brand spirits, Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: COCP), formerly Biozone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases, and Sevion Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:SVON), a clinical stage company which discovers and develops next-generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. Dr. Frost previously served as a director for Continucare Corporation, TransEnterix, Inc., SafeStitch Medical Inc. prior to its merger with TransEnterix, Inc. and PROLOR Biotech, Inc. prior to its acquisition by the Company in August 2013, as Governor and Co-Vice-Chairman of the American Stock Exchange (now NYSE MKT), and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Scripps Research Institute until November 2012.

Jane H. Hsiao, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Hsiao has served as Vice-Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of the Company since May 2007 and as a director since February 2007. Dr. Hsiao served as the Vice Chairman-Technical Affairs of IVAX from 1995 to January 2006. Dr. Hsiao served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of IVAX Animal Health, IVAX’s veterinary products subsidiary, from 1998 to 2006. Dr. Hsiao has served as Chairman of the Board of Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:NIMU), a medical device company, since October 2008 and was named Interim Chief Executive Officer of Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. in February 2012. Dr. Hsiao is also a director of each of TransEnterix, Inc. (OTCBB:TRXC), a medical device company, Neovasc, Inc. (TSXV:NVC), a company developing and marketing medical specialty vascular devices, and Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: COCP), formerly Biozone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases. Dr. Hsiao previously served as a director for Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:SRNE), a development stage biopharmaceutical company, PROLOR Biotech, Inc. prior to its acquisition by the Company in August 2013, and as Chairman of the Board of SafeSitch Medical, Inc. prior to its merger with TransEnterix, Inc.

Steven D. Rubin
Mr. Rubin has served as Executive Vice President – Administration since May 2007 and as a director of the Company since February 2007. Mr. Rubin currently serves on the board of directors of VBI Vaccines, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIV), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical which develops, produces and markets next generation of vaccines to address unmet needs in infectious disease and immuno-oncology, Cogint, Inc. (NASDAQ MKT: COGT), an information solutions provider focused on the data-fusion market, Kidville, Inc. (OTCBB:KVIL), which operates large, upscale facilities, catering to newborns through five-year-old children and their families and offers a wide range of developmental classes for newborns to five-year-olds, Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:NIMU), a medical device company, Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: COCP), a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases, Sevion Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:SVON), a clinical stage company which discovers and develops next-generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, Castle Brands, Inc. (NYSE MKT:ROX), a developer and marketer of premium brand spirits, Neovasc, Inc. (TSXV:NVC), a company developing and marketing medical specialty vascular devices, and ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), an innovator of proprietary health, wellness and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products. Mr. Rubin previously served as a director of Dreams, Inc. (NYSE MKT: DRJ), a vertically integrated sports licensing and products company, Safestitch Medical, Inc. prior to its merger with TransEnterix, Inc., SciVac Therapeutics, Inc. prior to its merger with VBI Vaccines, Inc., Tiger X Medical, Inc. prior to its merger with BioCardia, Inc., and PROLOR Biotech, Inc., prior to its acquisition by the Company in August 2013. Mr. Rubin served as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of IVAX from August 2001 until September 2006.

Adam Logal
Mr. Logal has served as OPKO’s Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2014 and he served as OPKO’s Vice President of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer from July 2012 until March 2014 and as OPKO’s Director of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer from March 2007 until July 2012. He currently serves on the board of directors of VBI Vaccines, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIV), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical which develops, produces and markets next generation of vaccines to address unmet needs in infectious disease and immuno-oncology. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Logal served in senior management of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, a publicly traded, biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary products. Mr. Logal held various positions of increasing responsibility at Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, last serving as Senior Director of Accounting and Reporting.

ONE female in Opko Health Executive Management team.

 

Opko Health

Board of Directors
Phillip Frost, M.D.
Dr. Frost has been the CEO and Chairman of the Company since March 2007. Dr. Frost served as a director of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Limited, or Teva (NYSE:TEVA) from January 2006 until February 2015 and had previously served as Chairman of the Board of Teva from March 2010 until December 2014 and as Vice Chairman from January 2006 until March 2010. Dr. Frost had served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of IVAX Corporation from 1987 until its acquisition by Teva in January 2006. He was Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Florida from 1972 to 1986. Dr. Frost was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1972 until the acquisition of Key Pharmaceuticals by Schering Plough Corporation in 1986. Dr. Frost was named Chairman of the Board of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT:LTS), an investment banking, asset management, and securities brokerage firm providing services through its principal operating subsidiary, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., in July 2006 and has been a director of Ladenburg Thalmann from 2001 until 2002 and again since 2004.

Jane H. Hsiao, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Hsiao has served as Vice-Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of the Company since May 2007 and as a director since February 2007. Dr. Hsiao served as the Vice Chairman-Technical Affairs of IVAX from 1995 to January 2006. Dr. Hsiao served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of IVAX Animal Health, IVAX’s veterinary products subsidiary, from 1998 to 2006. Dr. Hsiao has served as Chairman of the Board of Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:NIMU), a medical device company, since October 2008 and was named Interim Chief Executive Officer of Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. in February 2012. Dr. Hsiao is also a director of each of TransEnterix, Inc. (OTCBB:TRXC), a medical device company, Neovasc, Inc. (TSXV:NVC), a company developing and marketing medical specialty vascular devices, and Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: COCP), formerly Biozone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases. Dr. Hsiao previously served as a director for Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:SRNE), a development stage biopharmaceutical company, PROLOR Biotech, Inc. prior to its acquisition by the Company in August 2013, and as Chairman of the Board of SafeSitch Medical, Inc. prior to its merger with TransEnterix, Inc.

Dr. Hsiao’s background in pharmaceutical chemistry and strong technical expertise, as well as her senior management experience, allow her to play an integral role in overseeing OPKO’s product development and regulatory affairs and in navigating the regulatory pathways for OPKO’s products and product candidates. In addition, as a result of her role as director and/or chairman of other companies in the biotechnology and life sciences space, she also has a keen understanding and appreciation of the many regulatory and development issues confronting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Steven D. Rubin
Mr. Rubin has served as Executive Vice President – Administration since May 2007 and as a director of the Company since February 2007. Mr. Rubin currently serves on the board of directors of VBI Vaccines, Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIV), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical which develops, produces and markets next generation of vaccines to address unmet needs in infectious disease and immuno-oncology, Cogint, Inc. (NASDAQ MKT: COGT), an information solutions provider focused on the data-fusion market, Kidville, Inc. (OTCBB:KVIL), which operates large, upscale facilities, catering to newborns through five-year-old children and their families and offers a wide range of developmental classes for newborns to five-year-olds, Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:NIMU), a medical device company, Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: COCP), a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases, Sevion Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:SVON), a clinical stage company which discovers and develops next-generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, Castle Brands, Inc. (NYSE MKT:ROX), a developer and marketer of premium brand spirits, Neovasc, Inc. (TSXV:NVC), a company developing and marketing medical specialty vascular devices, and ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), an innovator of proprietary health, wellness and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products.

Richard A. Lerner, M.D.
Dr. Lerner has served as a director of OPKO since March 2007. Dr. Lerner served as President of The Scripps Research Institute, a private, non-profit biomedical research organization, from 1986 until 2011 and is currently serving as an institute professor. Dr. Lerner is a member of numerous scientific associations, including the National Academy of Science and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Dr. Lerner serves as director of Sequenom, Inc. (Nasal: SQNM), a life sciences company. He is also on the Board of Directors for Intra-Cellular Therapies, a privately held biotechnology company, and the board of Teva (NYSE:TEVA). He previously served as a director of Kraft Foods, Inc. and Xencor, a privately held biotechnology company, and on the Siemens’ Advisory Board for Molecular Medicine of Siemens AG.

John A. Paganelli
Mr. Paganelli has served as a director of OPKO since December 2003. Mr. Paganelli served as OPKO’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and secretary from June 29, 2005 through March 27, 2007, and Chairman of OPKO’s Board of Directors from December 2003 through March 27, 2007. Mr. Paganelli served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transamerica Life Insurance Company of New York from 1992 to 1997. Since 1987, Mr. Paganelli has been a partner in RFG Associates, a financial planning organization. Mr. Paganelli is also the Managing Partner of Pharos Systems Partners, LLC, an investment company, and he is Chairman of the Board of Pharos Systems International, a software company.

Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr.
Mr. Pfenniger has served as a director of OPKO since January 2008. Currently, Mr. Pfenniger is Interim CEO of IntegraMed America, Inc., a privately held company that operates highly specialized outpatient centers in technology-based medical sectors. Mr. Pfenniger served as Chief Executive Officer and President for Continucare Corporation (NYSE:CNU), a provider of primary care physician and practice management services, from October 2003 until October 2011, and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Continucare Corporation from September 2002 until October 2011.

Alice Lin-Tsing Yu, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. YU was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in April 2009. From 2003 – 2013, she has served as Distinguished Research Fellow and Associate Director at the Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, in Taiwan. Since 2013, she has been a Distinguished Chair Professor at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, and Chang Gung University in Taiwan. She has also served as a Professor of Pediatrics for both the National Taiwan University and University of California in San Diego, since 2004 and 1994, respectively. Previously, she was the Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the University of California in San Diego. Dr. Yu has also served in several government-appointed positions and is a member of numerous scientific committees and associations.

Dr. Yu is an accomplished physician, professor, and researcher who brings a unique perspective to OPKO’s board on a variety of healthcare related issues. The insight and experience from her distinguished record of achievemnet at several highly respected academic medical institutions, as well as her experience as a practicing physician, are valuable to OPKO’s efforts to develop and commercialize OPKO’s pipeline of diagnostic and therapeutic products.

Richard M. Krasno, Ph.D.
Dr. Krasno was appointed the Company’s Board of Directors on February 9, 2017. Dr. Krasno served as the executive director of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust from 1999 to 2014 and, from 1999 to 2010, as president of the four affiliated William R. Kenan, Jr. Funds. Prior to joining the Trust, Dr. Krasno was the president of the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. From 2004 to 2012, Dr. Krasno also served as a director of the University of North Carolina Health Care System and served as chairman of the board of directors from 2009 to 2012. From 1981 to 1998, he served as president and chief executive officer of the Institute of International Education in New York. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education in Washington, D.C. from 1979 to 1980. Dr. Krasno currently serves as a director of Ladenburg Thalmann (NYSEMKT: LTS), Castle Brands, Inc. (NYSEMKT: ROX) and BioCardia, Inc. (OTCMKTS:BCDA). Dr. Krasno holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. from Stanford.

TWO female members on the Opko Health Board of Directors. There are 8 board members and Ms. Hsiao is also a member of the Executive Team for Opko Health.

 

Scientific Advisory Board
OPKO’s Scientific Advisory Board is as follows:

Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D.
Dr. Kodadek is Professor and Vice Chairman of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute campus in Jupiter, FL. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Kodadek has made important contributions to understanding of how genes are rearranged and expressed. Recently, he has focused on the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the treatment of immune diseases and cancers. This work was recognized in 2006 by a prestigious NIH Director’s Pioneer Award for “exceptionally creative research”. Dr. Kodadek received his B.S. in chemistry at the University of Miami and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Stanford University. He pursued post-doctoral studies in the laboratory of Professor Bruce Alberts at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School

Roger D. Kornberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Kornberg is the Winzer Professor in Medicine in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford University, where he has taught since 1978. He has received many awards, including the Welch Prize (2001), the highest award in chemistry in the U.S., the Leopold Mayer Prize (2002), the highest award in biomedical sciences of the French Academy of Sciences, and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2006). Dr. Kornberg is a recipient of honorary degrees from universities in Europe and Israel, including the Hebrew University, where he is a visiting professor. Dr. Kornberg is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of other academies and professional societies in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Dr. Kornberg serves as a director of Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc, Cocrystal Discovery, Inc. and OphthaliX Inc. He received a B.A. in chemistry from Harvard in 1967 and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Stanford in 1972.

Tahir Ahmed, M.D.
Dr. Ahmed is Director of Pulmonary Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL. He graduated from King Edward Medical College, Lahore, in 1973 and completed an Internal Medicine residency and fellowship in pulmonary diseases at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He joined the faculty of at both Mount Sinai Medical Center and University of Miami School of Medicine in 1979. He was an Assistant Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Miami from 1980 to 1992 and Professor of Medicine from 1992 to 2006. He also served as Chief of the Pulmonary Division at Mount Sinai Medical Center from 1996 to 2006. His research work has included pathophysiology of pulmonary circulation and bronchial asthma. He is the author of over 80 scientific publications. His current research is focused on studying the anti-inflammatory activity of heparin-derived oligosaccharides.

Richard A. Lerner, M.D.
Dr. Lerner has served as a director of OPKO since March 2007. Dr. Lerner served as President of The Scripps Research Institute, a private, non-profit biomedical research organization, from 1986 until 2011 and is currently serving as an institute professor. Dr. Lerner is a member of numerous scientific associations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Dr. Lerner serves as director of Sequenom, Inc. (Nasal: SQNM), a life sciences company. He is also on the Board of Directors for Intra-Cellular Therapies, a privately held biotechnology company, and the board of Teva (NYSE:TEVA). He previously served as a director of Kraft Foods, Inc. and Xencor, a privately held biotechnology company, and on the Siemens’ Advisory Board for Molecular Medicine of Siemens AG.

As a result of Dr. Lerner’s long tenure as President of a major biomedical research organization, he provides valuable business, scientific, leadership, and management expertise that helps drive strategic direction and expansion at OPKO. His experience and training as a physician and a scientist enables him to bring valuable advice to the OPKO board, including a critical perspective on drug discovery and development and providing a fundamental understanding of a potential pathways contributing to disease.

ZERO female members on Opko Health's Scientific Advisory Board.

 

OPKO continues to explore acquisition opportunities for complementary pharmaceuticals, compounds, technologies, and businesses. We expect our future growth to arise from leveraging our proprietary technology, development strengths, and pursuit of complementary and strategic acquisitions and investments.


Products

• EirGen Pharma
  Acquired: (May 2015)
• OPKO Chile
  Acquired: Pharma Genexx (October 2009) Acquired: ALS Distribuidora Limitada (April 2012)
• OPKO EU
  Acquired: Farmadiet (August 2012)
• OPKO FineTech
  Acquired: (December 2011)
• OPKO Mexico
  Acquired: Pharma Exakta (February 2010)

Diagnostics

• Bio-Reference Laboratories Acquired: (August 2015)
• OURLabs Acquired: (December 2012)
• OPKO Diagnostics Acquired: Claros Diagnostics (October 2011)
• Molecular Diagnostics

Therapeutics

• 
  

• OPKO Biologics Acquired: PROLOR (August 2013)
• OPKO Renal Acquired: Cytochroma, Inc (March 2013)
• OPKO CURNA Acquired: (February 2011)

Strategic Investments

• ARNO Therapeutics
• ChromaDex Corporation.
• Cocrystal Pharma
• MABVAX
• Neovasc, Inc.
• Pharmsynthez
• RXi Pharmaceuticals
• SciVac Therapeutics Inc.
• Sevion
• Zebra Biologics

I wonder if Dr. Frost's other companies have the same "diversity issues"?

 

BioReference Labs

Executive Officers
Steven D. Rubin
Director, Vice President

Adam Logal
Director, Vice President

Kate Inman
Corporate Secretary

Gregory Henderson, M.D., Ph.D.
President
JUST QUIT

Jane Pine Wood, Esq.
Chief Legal Counsel

Warren Erdmann
Senior Vice President/
Chief Operating Officer

Victoria Laughman
Executive Vice President of Sales

James Weisberger, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.S.C.P.
Executive Vice President,
Chief Medical Officer,
Director of Hematopathology

Benjamin D. Solomon, M.D.
Managing Director, GeneDx

THREE females on the Executive Team of BRL. There are NINE Executive Team Members.

 

I found the place where Dr. Frost hides all of the female employees. It's on the cover of the "December 2017" Investor relations report.

http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/OPKO/5943246840x0x969595/7950482E-93C2-4200-BA27-21122C9DE57B/OPKO_Health--fullset_draft_10.pptx.pdf

 

Just go away you worthless malcontent.

 

CC you missed the point of this person's observation - there are no female leaders within the ENTIRE Opko Organization. One "VP of Sales" female does not offset the obvious "good ole boys club".

 

so can you back up your accusations of bias or are you simply counting genders?

 

Agree there is a lot of gender bias at Opko, men managers who are a bunch of pussies and can't get shit done but top reps are chicks that can. FU Opko man pussies, why don't you sport those red vagina hats at the NSM, wear what you are.

 

The weekend start early for you?

 

Within less than one year of being hired, Dr. AA has dismantled the entire MSL team and the female director's position was eliminated. The one VP position that was held by a female, JN, was also eliminated 3 weeks prior to the MSL director's job being eliminated. When MB quit her Director position (OC), the company decided to divvy up her job and have two male directors share her responsibilities instead of backfilling her job. Not one male position has been eliminated. The Sales Ops Director that was hired is a male and one female MARKETING person was hired prior to eliminating the VP's, JN, position. There are no longer any females in an executive position in the Renal Division. There is ONE female VP of SALES at BRL.
ONE female in an executive position in the entire Opko Health company.

 

That is the best that you’ve got? OC? You mean the place where completing a form was more important than doing what the customer wanted? And let’s not forget the Analog/not an analog debacle. Sorry, you picked some poor representation for your argument. And MB was an executive? In her mind maybe. Shut up and get back to finding another job malcontent.