December 5, 2014
LA JOLLA–The Salk Institute is pleased to announce the election of Richard A. Heyman, PhD, to its Board of Trustees. Heyman currently serves as CEO of Seragon Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego-based biotech company that he co-founded in August 2013. Seragon develops selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), which are being used for the treatment of breast cancer.
Richard A. Heyman
Image: Courtesy of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
“Rich’s record of leadership in the biotech industry and his successes as an entrepreneur will make him a valuable addition to our board,” says Salk Board Chairman Irwin M. Jacobs. “He offers insight, experience and professional expertise that will further expand the Salk Institute’s scientific impact.”
Heyman’s affinity for the Salk Institute extends beyond his background in biotech. He once worked at the Salk Institute as a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellow and staff scientist. With Salk Professor Ron Evans, Heyman co-founded X-Ceptor Therapeutics, which was acquired by Exelixis in 2004.
Prior to Seragon, Heyman was the CEO and co-founder of Aragon Pharmaceuticals, which developed novel therapeutics for the treatment of hormone dependent cancers, such as prostate and breast cancers, based on new insights into molecular mechanisms of resistance. Prior to X-Ceptor, he held various roles at Ligand Pharmaceuticals, including Vice President of Research, where he lead a project to develop Panretin® and Targretin®, retinoids approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. He is the author or inventor on more than 120 publications and patents.
Heyman serves on the board of directors for BIOCOM, Organovo Inc. and Receptos Inc. He is a member of the therapeutic advisory board for aTyr Pharma, and serves on the executive committee of the UCSD Moores Cancer Center. He received a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in chemistry from the University of Connecticut.
About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world’s preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative and creative environment. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and infectious diseases by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines.
Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.
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