Don Joseph to Succeed Dr. Melinda Moree as CEO of BIO Ventures for Global Health; Moree to Become Executive Chair of the Board of Directors

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) announced today that Don Joseph, JD, currently the organization's Chief Operating Officer, has been selected by the Board of Directors to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective February 1, 2012.

Joseph joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer in March 2010. He brings more than 17 years of experience in senior business and legal roles at a number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies, in addition to his years as a partner in major law firms.  Prior to joining BVGH, Joseph served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Institute for OneWorld Health, a non-profit, global health organization engaged in drug development for neglected tropical diseases.

"We are very pleased to name Don Joseph to this position and are confident that BVGH will continue to benefit from his leadership, in light of his deep ties with the biotech community and experience in global health," says Carl Feldbaum, Chair of the Board at BVGH. "This leadership transition will allow the organization to continue the momentum that has built over the past two years under Melinda Moree's leadership."

"I am very proud and honored to be chosen to serve as the new CEO of BVGH," says Joseph. "This is an exciting and pivotal time for BVGH and I look forward to working closely with the Board and our many partners as we continue to address the need for more innovation in global health for those who need it most."

As part of this planned transition, Moree will continue her involvement with the organization in the new role of Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. Joseph also continues as a member of the Board.

"My decision has been made much easier knowing that Don Joseph, with his passion and drive for solving global health problems, will be taking over as CEO," says Moree.  "I am very pleased to continue my involvement with BIO Ventures for Global Health through this new position on the Board."

In her part-time role as Executive Chair, Moree will assist in strategic direction and board activities.  Carl Feldbaum will continue as Chair in his role as a non-executive independent director.

"It is a sign of our organizational strength and stability that we can transition Board and executive positions smoothly and as part of a planned process," says Robert Chess, Board Chair and former CEO of Nektar Therapeutics and the previous Chair of the Board at BVGH. "The entire Board is unified in our desire to continue the work of BVGH under this new leadership structure."

About BIO Ventures for Global Health

BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to save lives by accelerating the development of novel drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics coming from the biotechnology industry that address the unmet medical needs of the developing world. The organization works at the crossroads of biotechnology and global health to find the common ground between the goals of the global health community and the pragmatic needs of companies. For more information, please visit www.bvgh.org.

Board of Directors

Carl B. Feldbaum, Chairman
President Emeritus, BIO

G. Steven Burrill
CEO, Burrill & Co.

Robert Chess
Chairman, Nektar Therapeutics

James A. Geraghty
Senior Vice President and Officer, Genzyme Corporation

James C. Greenwood
President, Biotechnology Industry Organization

Donald R. Joseph
COO, BIO Ventures for Global Health

Vaughn M. Kailian
General Partner, MPM Capital

Melinda Moree
CEO, BIO Ventures for Global Health

J. Leighton Read
Partner, Alloy Ventures

SOURCE BIO Ventures for Global Health