Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> September 13, 2002
WAYNE YETTER is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SYNAVANT Inc.,
which was created in September 2000 as a spinoff from IMS HEALTH.
SYNAVANT is a strategic solutions and services partner to the
pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Mr. Yetter joined IMS HEALTH
as Chief Operating Officer in October 1999, responsible for growing
global operations. Prior to joining IMS HEALTH, he served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the
US division of Novartis AG. In this position, he successfully completed
the merger of the Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz US pharmaceutical businesses.
From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Yetter oversaw the development and growth of
Astra Merck Inc., the industry's renowned greenfield opportunity to
build a brand new pharmaceutical company. Within five years the company
had 1,500 employees and generated revenues of $2 billion. Under his
leadership, first as President and General Manager, then President and
Chief Executive Officer, Prilosec' became the world's leading
pharmaceutical product. In 1977, Mr. Yetter joined Merck & Co., serving
in a variety of product management and marketing positions, including
Vice President, Marketing Operations and Vice President, Far
East/Pacific. From 1970 to 1977, he held sales and product management
positions with the Pfizer Laboratories Division of Pfizer, Inc. Mr.
Yetter earned a BA degree in Biology from Wilkes University in Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania, and an MBA degree from Bryant College in
Smithfield, Rhode Island. He also served as a First Lieutenant with the
Fourth Infantry Division in Vietnam. Mr. Yetter served on the Board of
Directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association,
the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and the National Pharmaceutical
Council. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Noven
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc., and the SEI Center
for Advanced Studies in Management at the Wharton School, and is a
member of the Board of Trustees of Wilkes University. Profile
the past year or so that investors should be focusing on?
Mr. Yetter: The past year has been a very exciting one for
