Virginia Bio Announces New Executive Leadership

Statewide trade association for the life sciences taps Jeffrey Gallagher as CEO

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Virginia Biotechnology Association (Virginia Bio), the premier statewide non-profit trade association for life science industries, has named its interim executive director to the full-time position of chief executive officer.

“Virginia Bio is thrilled to have someone with Jeff’s breadth of experience, leadership skills and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the life sciences industry”

With an extensive background in the law and non-profit sectors as well as the life sciences, Jeffrey Gallagher brings leadership and policy expertise to his newly defined role, where he will be responsible for developing and executing the association’s strategic plans, prioritizing the organization’s areas of advocacy and serving as a voice for the organization and its over 200 member companies.

“Virginia Bio is thrilled to have someone with Jeff’s breadth of experience, leadership skills and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the life sciences industry,” said Michael Grisham, chairman of the board at Virginia Bio. “He will serve as an articulate and respected champion for our diverse member companies, particularly at a time when the life sciences throughout Virginia are emerging as an increasingly important growth sector.”

“Virginia Bio is on the vanguard of the rich life sciences industry throughout the Commonwealth. Not only does it serve its members and maintain the pulse of this important business sector, but it helps to educate and provide context to many forward-looking issues related to Virginia’s future growth, innovation and competitiveness,” says Gallagher. “I’ve admired this organization for many years and am now proud and pleased to serve as its new CEO. I look forward to serving our member companies, collaborating with others around the state, and working with policymakers at every level to create jobs to Virginia and faster cures and better treatments to our citizens.”

Gallagher was most recently with Lyotropic Therapeutics, Inc., based in Ashland, Va., where he served as Vice President & General Counsel. He helped establish and grow the small pharmaceutical company and was responsible for all legal matters, including regulatory compliance, personnel and intellectual property. Gallagher also has been involved with numerous non-profit organizations in various leadership roles.

One of the first priorities for Jeff as CEO is to lead the Virginia delegation at the Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference cohosted by Virginia Bio each year. Mid-Atlantic Bio, taking place this week in Bethesda, MD, brings together a critical mass of key industry stakeholders in a forum designed to improve the business climate and foster innovation. This year’s theme, New Alliances, New Opportunities reflects the addition of The North Carolina Biotechnology Center as a strategic partner, along with two special sessions, Best Practices for Working with the FDA and SBIR/STTR: Strategies, Program Changes and Opportunities. To view the complete program, please visit the conference website, www.midatlanticbio.org

About Virginia Bio

Virginia Bio is the premier statewide non-profit trade association for life science industries in Virginia. Celebrating its 20^th year, Virginia Bio is an advocate for the biopharmaceutical and device industries among federal, state and local policy-makers. Virginia Bio is the official state affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). To learn more, visit www.vabio.org.

About Mid-Atlantic Bio

Mid-Atlantic Bio – taking place September 27-28 in Bethesda, Md. – is one of the country’s premier biotech conferences for senior-level executives, policymakers, academia, financiers, media and service providers. Its proximity to the US government, federal labs, commercial research and development, academic centers of excellence and a growing investment community, make it a uniquely valuable venue for those in the life sciences community. First launched as an industry gathering at the Academies of Science, the conference is a joint initiative of the founding host organizations: the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, the Virginia Biotechnology Association, and the Tech Council of Maryland. The Conference is also pleased to welcome the North Carolina Biotechnology Center as strategic partner for 2012. For more information, please visit midatlanticbio.org.