Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> December 2, 1999
GARY LYONS is President and Chief Executive Officer of Neurocrine
Biosciences, Inc. having joined Neurocrine in 1993. Mr. Lyons began his
career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1973 with American Critical
Care, a pharmaceutical division of American Hospital Supply, where he
held a variety of sales and marketing positions. He has more than 20
years of management experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industries. During his 10-year tenure at Genentech, Mr. Lyons held a
number of senior management positions, including Vice President of
Business Development and Vice President of Sales. Genentech has been
responsible for the development and commercialization of nine
biotechnology products, which will generate more than $5 billion in
worldwide sales. While at Genentech, Mr. Lyons also oversaw the
technology venture program that participated in the formation and/or
early financing of several new biotech companies. He also directed
international licensing, acquisitions and partnerings, which resulted in
more than 20 corporate partnerships. Mr. Lyons was responsible for the
operation of the company's two international subsidiaries, Genentech
Canada, Inc., and Genentech, Ltd. in Japan. As Vice President of Sales,
he built the sales and marketing organization for the commercial
introduction of Genentech's first two pharmaceutical products, Activase
and Protropin. He originally joined Genentech in 1983 as Director of
Sales and Business Development. Mr. Lyons received an M.B.A. from
Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and
a bachelor's degree in marine biology from the University of New
Hampshire. Profile
Mr. Lyons: Neurocrine was formed approximately six years ago. The
founding scientists were Wylie Vale of the Salk Institute and
