EMD Serono, Inc. is proud to announce that its President and CEO, Fereydoun Firouz, was chosen to receive the first-ever Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC) Innovative Leadership Award. The award honors an industry executive who represents a company that has a strong presence in and commitment to growing in Massachusetts, active support of community-based organizations, contribution to science education to prepare the future workforce and creation of a positive work environment that fosters motivation and collaboration.
A champion of the life sciences industry, Mr. Firouz is dedicated to promoting EMD Serono’s mission of discovering and delivering innovative therapies for people living with unmet medical needs. Under his guidance, the company has placed a significant emphasis on giving back to the community, spearheading various initiatives with nonprofit organizations including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, MassBioEd’s BioTeach program, Habitat for Humanity and the United Way’s Math, Science and Technology Initiative, among others. Additionally, Mr. Firouz also sits on the boards of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
The Innovative Leadership Award will be presented at a luncheon at the 2009 MBC Annual Meeting on April 14.
REMARKS:
“Mr. Firouz’s strong leadership, strategic vision, and keen focus have contributed to EMD Serono’s growing footprint in Massachusetts and in the United States, and we are thrilled to honor him with the inaugural Innovative Leadership Award,” said Robert Coughlin, President and CEO of Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. “Under Mr. Firouz’s leadership, EMD Serono has partnered with MBC and led a campaign informing the public of the role biotechnology plays in the state and region. EMD Serono is a steadfast supporter of the MassBioEd Foundation, which supports science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts, and one of the first supporting organizations of the MBC and American Cancer Society’s Cancer Research Challenge aimed at increasing funding for cancer fellows in Massachusetts.”
