Life Science Entrepreneurs: Le Mans Driving on the Road to Commercialization
J. Donald Payne, President and CEO, Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc.
Mr. Payne will discuss entrepreneurship in life science ventures, drawing parallels to Le Mans racing – team driving; the circuitous path to creation, development, and funding; the unique rules of the road; and other aspects of commercialization of life science technologies. He will share common experiences in technology acquisition, product development, regulatory challenges and funding in the life science sector, with an emphasis on the skills required for the entrepreneur.
J. Donald Payne has been the President and CEO of Nanospectra since the commencement of operations in 2002. As CEO, he has led NBI through the clinical development of its broad-based cancer therapy, including the determination of the US and European regulatory pathways, the design and completion of pre-clinical studies, regulatory filings with FDA, the engagement of clinical trial sites, and implementation of cGMP processes. Mr. Payne has held progressively senior positions in the life science industry since 1992, holding executive positions with biopharmaceutical, tissue engineering and diagnostic companies. He was most recently the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for Sensus Drug Development Corporation, which was sold to Pharmacia (now Pfizer) in 2001. Prior to 1992, he held executive positions in the energy industry. Mr. Payne is also the Director of Pressure Biosciences (Nasdaq: PBIO), a medical technology company and has various other life science activities. He has an MBA from Rice University and a BBA from Texas A&M University.