Avista Capital Partners Appoints Brian A. Markison Healthcare Industry Executive

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Avista Capital Partners today announced that Brian A. Markison has joined the firm as a healthcare Industry Executive. Mr. Markison has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceuticals sector, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, a dermatology-focused pharmaceuticals company that was spun off from Nycomed A/S in 2011 and sold to Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, in July 2012.

Thompson Dean, Co-Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Avista, said, "We have known and worked with Brian for years, and we are delighted to have him join our team. The healthcare sector has been a core strength for Avista since the firm's inception. Brian's operating expertise will be invaluable as we continue to support the growth of our current healthcare investments, while evaluating new opportunities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services." 

Mr. Markison said, "Avista has a well-earned reputation for supporting strong management teams and adding real value to the companies in its portfolio. I am honored to be joining the firm, and I look forward to helping it achieve continued success in the global healthcare industry."

In connection with his new position, Mr. Markison has joined the Board of Directors of Lantheus Medical Imaging, an Avista portfolio company.

Before leading Fougera, Mr. Markison was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of King Pharmaceuticals, which he joined as Chief Operating Officer in March 2004, and was promoted to President and CEO later that year, and elected Chairman in 2007. Prior to joining King, Mr. Markison held various senior leadership positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including President of Oncology, Virology and Oncology Therapeutics Network; President of Neuroscience, Infectious Disease and Dermatology; and Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence and Productivity. Mr. Markison serves on the Board of Directors of Immunomedics, Inc., PharmAthene, Inc. and Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., where he also serves as Board Chairman. He is also a Director of the Komen Foundation for South / Central New Jersey, the College of New Jersey and the Pennington School. Mr. Markison holds a BS degree from Iona College.

Avista's healthcare portfolio includes AngioDynamics, a provider of innovative, minimally invasive medical devices; ConvaTec, a global leader in ostomy and wound care; INC Research, a leading contract research organization; Lantheus, a leader in diagnostic imaging; Optinose, an innovative drug delivery company; Strategic Partners, a leading supplier of medical uniforms and accessories; and VWR International, a leading global distributor of equipment and consumable supplies to the laboratory sector across all industries, among others.  In addition, during its time at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the Avista team was significantly involved in a variety of healthcare investments, including medical device companies such as Accellent and Kinetic Concepts; healthcare services companies such as Focus Diagnostics, Charles River Laboratories, and Fisher Scientific International; and pharmaceutical companies such as Nycomed, Warner Chilcott and Prometheus Laboratories.

About Avista Capital Partners

Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with over $4 billion under management and offices in New York, Houston and London.  Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to make controlling or influential minority investments in growth-oriented energy, healthcare, communications & media, industrials, and consumer businesses.  Through its team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned businesses.  For more information visit www.avistacap.com.

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SOURCE Avista Capital Partners