Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> January 27, 2003
LAWRENCE C. FRITZ, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Conforma Corporation, has extensive experience in the
biotechnology industry, having started two successful
biopharmaceutical companies prior to founding Conforma. Dr. Fritz
successfully co-founded Athena Neurosciences, now wholly-owned by
Elan Corporation, Plc, and Idun Pharmaceuticals. As Vice
President of Research at Athena, his work led to the clinical
development of products for multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's
disease and neuromuscular disorders. While Executive Vice
President, Research at Idun, his efforts resulted in the
identification of the first specific apoptotic pathway inhibitor
to enter the clinic. Dr. Fritz is also a member of the Board of
Directors of Kinetek Pharmaceuticals, a private biotechnology
company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Fritz holds an AB
degree from Harvard, a MSc degree from University College London,
and a PhD from The Rockefeller University. Profile
TWST: Could we begin with a brief historical sketch of ConformaTherapeutics and a picture of things as they are now?
Dr. Fritz: Conforma is focused on small molecule, molecularly
targeted