MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge Presents a Keynote Address by Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi-aventis

Panel of Biotech CEOs, Investors and Oncology Experts Will Discuss the Future of Biomedical Innovation


CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - April 6, 2011) - On April 11, the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge will feature a keynote by Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi-aventis. Headquartered in Paris, France, Sanofi-aventis is the world's fourth largest pharmaceutical company based on prescription sales. Sanofi-aventis recently acquired Cambridge-based biotechnology company, Genzyme, for $20 billion. This is the first public speaking engagement in Massachusetts for Mr. Viehbacher since the transaction closed.

Following Mr. Viehbacher's keynote address, Dr. Jeffrey Elton, CEO and co-founder of KEW Group LLC, a personalized oncology company, will moderate a distinguished panel of industry experts including Dr. Ronald DePinho of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Dr. Deborah Dunsire, President and CEO of Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company; Todd Foley, Managing Director at MPM Capital; and Dr. Christoph Westphal, Chairman and co-founder of Verastem, Founding Partner of Longwood Founders Fund, and President of SR One. The discussion will be focused on the challenges of funding and accelerating biomedical innovations today and the impact of current and pending regulatory and reimbursement changes on the types of innovations we need to advance.

Click here for speaker biographies.

Keynote Speaker:

Chris Viehbacher is the CEO of Sanofi-aventis. Mr. Viehbacher is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of PhRMA (United States), Vice Chairman of EFPIA (Belgium), Member of the Board of Directors of Research America (United States) and Burroughs Wellcome Fund (United States), Member of the Board of Visitors of Fuqua School of Business, Duke University (United States), and Member of the Board of Business Roundtable (United States). In his previous position, Mr. Viehbacher was President, Pharmaceutical Operations North America, a member of the board and Co-Chairman of the Portfolio Management Board. He is a graduate of the Queens University (Ontario - Canada) and a certified public accountant.

Program Organizers:

  • Pearl Freier is the President of Cambridge BioPartners
  • Dr. Dana Gordon is the deputy chair of the intellectual property group at Foley Hoag LLP and a partner in the firm.

The event is sponsored by Foley Hoag LLP.

When:
Monday, April 11, 2011
5:30-6:00pm: Event registration and snacks
6:10-8:00pm: Keynote and panel
8:00-9:00pm: Networking reception with food and drinks in the R&D Pub

Where: MIT Stata Center (Building 32), Room 123, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA

Registration and information: http://www.mitforumcambridge.org/events/innovation-series-event-featuring-chris-viehbacher-chief-executive-officer-sanofi-aventis/

Pricing: Forum members: $25, Non-members: $45. Students from all universities are free with college ID. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Contact Information:

MIT ENTERPRISE FORUM OF CAMBRIDGE CONTACT:
Trish Fleming
MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge
617-253-8240