Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> October 14, 2002
GEERT CAUWENBERGH is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and founder
of Barrier Therapeutics. Prior to founding Barrier, Dr. Cauwenbergh was
Vice President of Technology of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Consumer and
Personal Care Products Companies. In this capacity, he created
technology platforms based on intellectual property and know-how owned
by Johnson & Johnson, and developed a business proposition around these
platforms as the basis for new companies or new businesses within J&J.
The creation of Barrier Therapeutics as a separate company devoted to
the clinical development and commercialization of dermatological
products in-licensed from J&J affiliates is a direct consequence of his
efforts in this area. Previously, Dr. Cauwenbergh served as Vice
President of Research & Development of the J&J Consumer Companies
Worldwide, managing a global organization of over 100 people, with an
annual budget of $35 million, and he also was a member of the J&J
Business Development Council. In 1994, Dr. Cauwenbergh became Vice
President of Product Development and a member of the Management Board of
the US J&J Consumer Company. He also was the Director of the Corporate
Skin Care Council of J&J, coordinating the skin care activities in the
different operating groups of the corporation. Earlier in his career, he
held positions in sales, and national and international marketing, and
he was responsible for the successful global introduction of Nizoral'
(ketoconazole). Dr. Cauwenbergh joined the R&D organization of the
Janssen Research Foundation in 1982, where he held positions of
increasing global responsibility and oversaw development of drugs such
as Sporanox', Nizoral' Shampoo, Terazol', and topical Sufrexa'. His R&D
activities have also involved him in the fields of psoriasis, acne,
wound healing, atopic dermatitis, protozoal infections, and HIV. Dr.
Cauwenbergh has authored over 100 publications and co-authored several
books. He received his PhD.in Medical Sciences from the Catholic
University of Leuven, Faculty of Medicine, where he also completed his
Master's and undergraduate work. Profile
ANNE M. VANLENT joined Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer in May 2002, concurrent with the
closing of the initial $46 million financing. Ms. VanLent brings to
Barrier 20 years of senior management experience with both public and
private emerging growth companies in healthcare and technology. Prior to
joining Barrier, she was Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management,
for Sarnoff Corporation where she directed Sarnoff's venture spinoff
process and was in charge of all patent and licensing activities. From
the early 1980s until joining Sarnoff in 1997, Ms VanLent held senior
management positions in or consulted for a number of emerging growth
healthcare companies. She served as Chief Financial Officer for The
Liposome Company, Inc. (now part of Elan Pharmaceuticals) from 1985
until 1992, where she was involved with the its initial public offering
as well as several other public and private financings. She also served
as EVP and CFO for an early stage neuroscience company, Trophix
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was purchased by Allelix, and consulted
with several other private companies. Ms. VanLent is a member of the
Board of Directors of Penwest Pharmaceuticals and i-STAT Corporation.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Holyoke College in
Physics and did graduate work in Biophysics. Profile
expertise?
Dr. Cauwenbergh: Barrier Therapeutics is a specialty pharma company with
a focus on prescription dermatological
