Neurogen searching for science chief
By Luther Turmelle
BRANFORD ? The search is on for a chief science officer at Neurogen Corp. to replace company co-founder John Tallman, who is looking to lighten his workload at the biotechnology firm.
Tallman will remain CSO until his successor is found, which takes the pressure off Neurogen officials to find a replacement immediately, spokeswoman Amy Enders said. A biotech company's CSO oversees its scientific direction and coordinates its research projects and drug development, Enders said.
Harry Penner, Neurogen's president and chief executive officer, praised Tallman for putting the company on solid footing. Tallman co-founded the company in 1988 with eight other Yale University neuroscientists.
"It's hard to imagine a more gifted founder," Penner said.
Once a replacement is found, Tallman will remain as a senior adviser to the company and a member of its board of directors, Enders said.
"He's looking to take a different, less active role in the company," she said. "And while there is never a great time to make a transition like this, now is as good a time as any."
Indeed, Neurogen is currently on a roll, having secured a new building next to its Branford headquarters. The new facility, which will be used for research laboratories, was acquired with the help of a $5 million grant from Connecticut Innovations, a Rocky Hill-based organization that invests in high-tech companies.
"Neurogen has established a world-leading position in a growing number of drug programs and has created a platform of drug discovery technologies which we believe is unparalleled," Tallman said.
Tallman's successor is likely to come from the pharmaceutical industry rather than academia, Enders said.
Neurogen hopes to draw upon the pool of talent created by consolidation among drug companies. As companies merge and eliminate management-level positions, a talented group of executives becomes available, Enders said.
"We realize we're dealing in a limited universe, but we're confident of our ability to find a talented person to fill the position," she said.
Neurogen is developing drugs for treating such health problems as anxiety, depression, insomnia, obesity and Alzheimer's disease. |
