I am very pleased to let you know that Carl Feldbaum has been elected chairman of the BVGH Board of Directors. Carl has served on BVGH’s Board since its inception in 2004.

Carl is well loved and respected around the world for his ardent belief that biotechnology can improve the lives of those suffering from diseases, and especially those suffering from diseases that primarily affect the poor. BVGH was spun out of BIO during Carl’s tenure as President based on this vision.

Carl is “retired” but remains active in the biotech industry by serving on the Board of Directors of Actelion, LTD and Exelixis, Inc., both biotechnology companies, and the Biotechnology Institute. Along with Carl’s extraordinary depth of knowledge regarding the biotechnology industry, he brings to the role a distinguished policy background. He came to Washington, D.C. in 1973 as an assistant special prosecutor for the Watergate special prosecution force. He served as chief of staff to Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) and was president and founder of the Palomar Corporation, a national security “think tank” in Washington, D.C. Before founding Palomar Corporation, Carl was assistant to the Secretary of Energy, and served as the Inspector General for defense intelligence in the U.S. Department of Defense.

Carl succeeds Rob Chess, Chairman of the Board of Nektar Therapeutics, who served as BVGH board chair since the organization’s inception. Under Rob’s leadership, BVGH has grown from a concept to an organization focused intensively on bringing more biotech companies into the global health arena and achieving tangible outcomes. Rob will continue to serve on the BVGH Board.

BVGH is fortunate to have the time and commitment of its board members who are steeped in the financing, policy, and operations of the biotech industry. Beware Friends of Carl—your next phone call may very well be a request to help BVGH in accomplishing its very important mission.

Melinda Moree, interim CEO, BVGH