Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> September 30, 1999
THOMAS OESTERLING, Ph.D. is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Gliatech, Inc., a Cleveland-based biopharmaceutical
company. Gliatech, founded in 1988, is a leader in the discovery and
development of innovative therapeutics based on glial technology, a
major component of the nervous system. Glial cells play a pivotal role
in the growth, development and function of the nervous system. Through a
better understanding of glial cells the company is developing products
to treat a variety of conditions, including post-surgical scarring,
Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder, sleep disorders and
anxiety. Dr. Oesterling has over 30 years of experience in the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Prior to joining Gliatech
in June of 1989, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of
Collaborative Research, Inc. of Bedford, Massachusetts for five years.
He was with Mallinckrodt, Inc. in St. Louis, MO, from 1979 until 1983,
where as Vice President and General Manager Medical Products Research
and Development, he managed the activities of research and development
groups in four of the company's laboratories located in St. Louis,
Germany, The Netherlands, and Japan. Prior to joining Mallinckrodt, Dr.
Oesterling held a variety of research and development management
positions with Johnson and Johnson, from 1976 to 1979, and with the
Upjohn Company from 1966 to 1976. Dr. Oesterling received a Bachelor of
Science degree with distinction in Pharmacy, and a Ph.D. in
Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the Ohio State University. Profile
company's history, products, activities, customers, those kinds of
things.
Dr. Oesterling: The company is 10-years-old and
