Press Release

Morehouse's Louis Sullivan, GVP’s John Richard To Receive GaBio Top Awards

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ATLANTA, GA (December 18, 2009) – Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., President Emeritus of Morehouse School of Medicine and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and John P. Richard, Managing Director of Georgia Venture Partners, are the recipients of the 2010 Georgia Bio Industry Growth Awards.

The Industry Growth Awards are the highest honors bestowed each year by Georgia Bio. They recognize individuals in the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions to the growth of Georgia’s life sciences industry. Dr. Sullivan is the recipient from the public sector; Mr. Richard, from the private sector.

Dr. Sullivan is being honored for his vision and leadership in life sciences university research and industry development, for establishment of Morehouse School of Medicine as a leading educational and research institute, and for bringing the proposed National Health Museum to Atlanta, which will solidify the reputation of the city and state as a global center of health research and education.

Mr. Richard is being recognized for his years of service to Georgia’s life sciences community as the founder of a venture fund investing in early-stage life sciences companies, as a serial entrepreneur who has been a mentor to other industry entrepreneurs, and as a leader in developing conferences and events promoting Georgia’s life sciences industry.

Dr. Sullivan and Mr. Richard will be honored at the GaBio Annual Awards Dinner, January 21, 6 pm to 9 pm, at The Retreat in Dunwoody. Here is a link to register.

Biographies of Winners
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.
Dr. Louis Sullivan served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1989 to 1993.  Prior to and following his service as HHS Secretary, he was President of Morehouse School of Medicine, which he now serves as President Emeritus.  He is Chair of the National Health Museum and Chair of the Sullivan Alliance to increase diversity in the health professions.   From 2002-2009 he was Co-Chair of The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.  A graduate of Morehouse College, he earned his medical degree from Boston University, and is certified in internal medicine and hematology.  The recipient of 59 honorary degrees, he served on the faculties of the medical schools at Harvard, Seton Hall, and Boston universities before arriving at Morehouse in 1975.  He was also the founding President of the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools.

John P. Richard  
John Richard is a founding Partner of Georgia Venture Partners, and a strategic advisor to the biotechnology industry. He currently serves as Senior Venture Partner for Nomura Phase4 Ventures; as Senior Business Advisor to Agennix AG; as acting CEO of AxoTect, Inc.; and as consulting GM to NeurOp.  He also serves as a director of Targacept, Zosano Pharma, Abeome, AerovectRx, Altiris, InsectiGen, and Zirus. Mr. Richard was previously Executive Vice President, Business Development at SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now part of Johnson & Johnson). Prior to joining SEQUUS, he headed business development for VIVUS, Inc., and Genome Therapeutics Corporation, where he was responsible for establishing numerous pharmaceutical alliances. Mr. Richard was also co-founder and original CEO of IMPATH Laboratories, Inc., a leading cancer pathology reference laboratory (now part of Genzyme). Mr. Richard received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his B.S. from Stanford University.

For a list of past GaBio Industry Growth Award recipients, click here.

Georgia Bio (www.gabio.org) is the private, non-profit association representing the life sciences industry in Georgia. Its nearly 300 members include pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies, medical centers, universities, research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of products that improve health and well-being of people, animals and the environment.

Note to Editors: Credentialed members of the news media are invited to attend. Registration is complimentary. Please contact Maria Thacker (404-920-2042; maria.thacker@gabio.org).