Ashton Tweed Connection Vol. 2 No. 2

Volume 2, Number 2

Whether you are or you require executive or management talent — interim, permanent, or interim to hire — Ashton Tweed can meet your specialized retained search and executive search needs.


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Most Common Mistakes of Start-Ups

New and competitive businesses emerge in the life science industries every day, making it no easy feat to lead a start-up or own a small business. There are many common business mistakes made in the early stages that could potentially drive your start-up biotech or pharmaceutical company to fail. However, these mistakes can be avoided with the right foresight.

VP of Finance Gets Hands-On

A small clinical software start-up based in Pennsylvania was growing more quickly than the company leaders expected. The CEO could no longer accomplish his day-to-day executive responsibilities, so they decided to hire a Vice President of Finance to help lessen the load during this time of incredible growth. Requiring a focused recruiting effort by a professional organization, the CEO handed this executive search to Ashton Tweed.

Medical Device Companies Grow by Sharing

The Greater Reading Medical Device Group, created in 2001, is made up of over 80 Greater Reading Professionals. Started by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, their goal has been to work towards the same goal of progress by sharing resources and expertise.

7 Trends Driving Life Sciences in 2015

Using the 2014 Global Life Sciences Cluster Report from JLL, Forbes compiled the top 7 trends you need to know for success in 2015: 1.Global Innovation – The Patent Cooperation Treaty applications are increasing in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, indicating growing innovative output.

2015: The Antibiotics Renaissance?

2014 was a big year for acquisitions, and two in particular suggest that 2015 will be a big year for antibiotics. In October, Actavis acquired Durata, who makes antibiotics for skin infections. Two months later, Merck announced it would acquire the biopharmaceutical firm Cubist.

FDA Launches New Office

On January 12, the FDA launched its Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, in order to establish consistent quality standards for all drugs and to cut quality control lapses at pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, will oversee the office until a director is found.

New Era Of Interdependence

The life sciences industry is entering an “Era of Interdependence.” Different sectors of the industry are realizing that cooperation is the key success. In the early 80s, it was common for life science businesses to rely on pharmaceutical companies. If a pharma company partnered with them, investors had validation of the science behind the company.

Why is Google Making Human Skin?

What is going on behind the doors of Google’s life sciences lab? Well for starters, they are making human skin… and using state of the art technology to detect cancer. Click to see the interview from The Atlantic here.

BMS COO to take over as CEO

Chief Operating Officer Giovanni Caforio will take over as CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb on May 5. Lamberto Andreotti, CEO of 5 years, will step down and take over as executive chairman of the board. Andreotti has expressed excitement for his successor and is confident in his future performance.

Burrill’s Annual Predictions for Biotech

Biotech visionary G. Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill LLC and Burrill Media, issues annual predictions for the life sciences at the start of each year. Last year’s IPO and M&A activity was unprecedented and has set up 2015 to be a year of solid performance.