MENLO PARK, Calif., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Versant Ventures, a leading healthcare venture capital firm, announced that Bradley J. Bolzon, Ph.D., has been appointed as a Managing Director effective July 1, 2004. Most recently, Dr. Bolzon held the position of Executive Vice President, Global Head of Business Development, Licensing & Alliances with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and was a member of the Pharmaceutical Executive Committee. Dr. Bolzon will be working out of Versant’s Menlo Park office focusing on the biotechnology sector.
“Brad Bolzon brings extraordinary experience from the pharmaceutical industry in the business development, corporate alliances and research areas. We are fortunate to have an industry executive with this breadth of experience join our biotech practice,” said Samuel D. Colella, Managing Director, Versant Ventures. “Brad is eminently qualified for the venture capital industry. His strong pharmaceutical sector and academic research credentials will be an excellent addition to Versant’s biotech team, which already offers significant operational and industry insight to our portfolio companies and potential investment opportunities.”
Dr. Bolzon adds more than 12 years of experience from the pharmaceutical industry to Versant Venture’s biotech investment team. In his most recent position with Roche, his primary responsibilities were to direct the company’s activities related to business development strategy, product licensing, company acquisitions and R&D alliances. Under his leadership Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division established alliances with over 75 biotech companies worldwide.
Prior to his role as Global Head of Business Development, Licensing & Alliances at Roche, Dr. Bolzon held positions of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly and Company in drug discovery, business development, clinical research and regulatory affairs. This experience included senior roles in the Cardiovascular Research and Business Development departments at Lilly Research Laboratories in Indianapolis. Dr. Bolzon received Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto, and conducted his post-doctoral research training at the Ottawa Heart Institute in Ottawa, Canada.
About Versant Ventures
Founded in 1999, Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm that currently manages $680 million in committed capital. Since its formation, Versant has invested in more than 50 companies in the Medical Device, Biotech, Healthcare Services and Healthcare Information Technology sectors. The Versant team of twelve investment professionals located in Menlo Park and Newport Beach bring together more than 175 years of combined experience and success as venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Versant invests in early-stage healthcare companies promising to be significant, long- term market leaders. For additional information, please visit http://www.versantventures.com/.
Versant Ventures
CONTACT: Samuel D. Colella, Managing Director of Versant Ventures,+1-650-233-7877; or Karen L. Bergman or Michelle Corral of BCC Partners,+1-650-575-1509 or +1-415-794-8662, for Versant Ventures
Web site: http://www.versantventures.com/
