Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> August 9, 1999
KENNETH G. KASSES, Ph.D., is President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of
Genta Incorporated. Dr. Kasses graduated from the New York Medical
College, Valhalla, New York, in 1973 with a Ph.D. degree in
Pharmacology. He joined Block Drug Company in New Jersey as an
administrative assistant to the Vice President of research and
development and later was appointed senior group leader. In October,
1975, Dr. Kasses joined Ayerst Laboratories as an assistant in
regulatory affairs and over the next five years held various other
regulatory affairs positions including director. In December, 1980, he
joined Ciba-Giegy Pharmaceuticals as director of regulatory affairs and
later became executive director. He joined American Critical Care,
Division of American Hospital Supply Corporation in June, 1983, as vice
president, regulatory affairs and quality assurance. He became president
of American Critical Care in February, 1986. E.I. duPont de Nemours &
Co. acquired American Critical Care in September, 1986. He was named
president to the acquisition, DuPont Critical Care, Inc. He was
appointed director, U.S. pharmaceuticals, responsible for all domestic
pharmaceutical sales and marketing in June, 1987. He served as Director,
business development and planning, including pharmaceutical project
management, worldwide marketing development, licensing and acquisitions
and new business ventures and departmental planning for the Medical
Products Department of the DuPont Company. Dr. Kasses was appointed
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Radiopharmaceuticals Division
for The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company on January 1, 1991, and
President, Radiopharmaceuticals Division in November, 1993. In October,
1997, he was elected to the position of President, Chief Executive
Officer, and Director of Genta Incorporated. In October, 1998, he was
elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Profile
activities, those kinds of things?
Dr. Kasses: Genta was founded in 1988, taking specific technology from
GenProbe with
