Healthcare >> Analyst Interviews >> December 13, 1999
PETER LAING graduated in chemistry and pharmacology from Oxford
University in 1970. He worked in research for Beecham (now Smitkline
Beecham) and ICI (now Zeneca) before becoming an analyst with Quilter
Goodison in 1973, covering the UK chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
In 1981 he moved to N M Rothschild & Sons as one of the managers of
Biotechnology Investments, the first (and still the principal) venture
capital fund investing in biotechnology and medical technology in the
USA and Europe. He was a director of a number of venture-backed
biotechnology companies and a frequent speaker on investment in the
biotechnology sector. In 1987 he left to become a partner in the
management group for the Charterhouse Venture Funds, again specialising
in biotechnology and medical technology. In 1990 he joined Societe
Generale as UK pharmaceuticals analyst. In 1993 he was recruited by
Salomon Brothers as European Pharmaceuticals Analyst, initially as Vice-
President but becoming a Director in 1995. He rejoined Societe Generale
(now known as SG Securities) in 1996 as senior European pharmaceuticals
analyst. Profile
Mr. Laing: I was in venture capital for 10 years, so I've always had an
interest in the smaller companies. In the US,
