Chief Executive Officer Dinner
*This event is reserved for CEOs of Core Life Sciences PA member companies. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact Lois Stephens at [email protected]
In January this year, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals and Idera Pharmaceuticals signed a definitive merger agreement to form a new enterprise focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to serve patients suffering from rare diseases. The newly combined company was to be led by Vincent Milano, CEO of Idera. BioCryst Chairman, Bob Ingram, was expected to serve as Chairman of the Board and BioCryst CEO, Jon P. Stonehouse, would serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
The merger would have created a well-funded company with a diversified late-stage clinical pipeline, a proven track record commercializing treatments for rare diseases, and validated scientific and clinical acumen, while also gaining operational synergies.
On June 10, BioCryst and Idera announced the agreement and plan of merger had been terminated following a special meeting of BioCryst stockholders at which BioCryst’s stockholders voted against the proposed merger. Interestingly, a majority of Idera’s stockholders voted in favor of the merger at a separate special meeting on the same day.
Join us Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Merion Golf Club for the Life Sciences PA CEO Dinner to hear the story directly from Vin Milano and Jon Stonehouse. Vin and Jon will discuss process, stockholder perceptions, lessons learned, etc. as they witnessed first-hand the unraveling of what appeared to be a promising merger for both companies and for the patients they seek to serve.
Event Details
Where: Merion Golf Club
When: Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Time: 6:00PM to 8:30PM
*There is no registration fee. The cost for this event is fully underwritten by our generous sponsors. However, space is limited and you must register for this event if you plan to attend. This invitation is only for those who serve in the capacity of CEO at a core member company. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact Lois Stephens at [email protected].
Vin Milano, CEO, Idera Pharmaceuticals
Vincent Milano joined Idera as Chief Executive Officer in December 2014. Mr. Milano most recently served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ViroPharma, which was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals in January 2014. Under his stewardship, ViroPharma became a leading developer of innovative therapies for rare diseases, with the approval and commercialization of its lead product, Cinryze, for the treatment of hereditary angioedema in the United States and Europe. Mr. Milano joined ViroPharma in 1996 and served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer from 1997 to 2006 before becoming Chief Executive Officer. He was instrumental in building the company, including leading efforts to raise nearly $900 million in capital, as well as acquisitions of Lev Pharmaceuticals and the drug Vancocin from Eli Lilly. In addition, he played critical roles in business development and investor relations activities for ViroPharma, and contributed significantly to establishing the strategic focus of the company. Prior to joining ViroPharma, he served as a senior manager at KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.
Mr. Milano currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Spark Therapeutics, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, VenatoRx and Life Sciences of PA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Rider College.
Jon Stonehouse, President & CEO, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
Jon P. Stonehouse joined BioCryst in January 2007 as Chief Executive Officer and Director. He was also named President in July 2007. Prior to joining the company, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Merck KGaA, where his responsibilities included corporate mergers and acquisitions, global licensing, and business development, as well as corporate strategy and alliance management. Mr. Stonehouse was responsible for leading the effort to develop a strategy for Merck that significantly changed the company. This culminated with the acquisition of Serono, S.A., the largest biotechnology company in Europe at the time of the agreement. Prior to joining Merck KGaA, Mr. Stonehouse held a variety of roles at Astra Merck/AstraZeneca. Mr. Stonehouse began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative and held increasing sales leadership positions at Merck & Co., Inc. Mr. Stonehouse earned his BS in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota.
