Biocon, Asia's premier biotechnology company, announced today that it has inducted Jeremy M. Levin as an additional independent director to its board. Levin is among the 25 most influential people in the biopharmaceutical industry as recognized by FierceBiotech.
Levin is currently the chairman of Ovid Therapeutics Inc., a New York based private company developing novel medicines for orphan diseases of the brain and has deep experience in the global pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry. He is the former CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world’s largest generic pharmaceutical Company. Dr Levin played a significant role as a member of the Executive Committee at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) where he had global responsibilities for strategy, alliances and transactions. He led BMS's 'String of Pearls' strategy which helped transform the company pipeline. Levin has also served as the Head of Global Business Development and Strategic Alliances at Novartis and was Chairman and CEO of Cadus Pharmaceuticals where he successfully took the
company public.
Biocon Chairperson and managing director, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said, ''I welcome Jeremy to the Biocon board, he is an exceptional business leader with a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. His expertise in leading companies, driving business development and company strategy to bring effective treatments to patients worldwide, augurs well for us. We look forward to his valuable contribution towards enabling Biocon make a strong impact on global health.''
On his decision to join the Biocon board, Levin said, ''I am extremely pleased to join Biocon which has a unique business model spanning biotech and pharma. I strongly believe a company like Biocon focused on innovation can provide tremendous benefit to patients by developing medicines of the future not only for the developed world but also for the developing nations. Based out of a vibrant democracy such as India Biocon is well placed to balance innovation and access to healthcare.''
Shares of the company declined Rs 12.80, or 3%, to trade at Rs 413.35 at the BSE (10.32 a.m., Friday).
