Termeer was a key architect in the founding of BIO, a mentor to countless entrepreneurs, executives and researchers, and passionate in his pursuit of innovative patient-centric drug development. Washington, DC (May 15, 2017) – Henri Termeer, who passed away at the age of 71, was a founding father of modern biotechnology. He brought to his work, and to his life, a passion, a vision and a perseverance to bring ground-breaking medical innovations to those suffering from rare diseases.Through his work, Termeer became a mentor and a role model for biotechnology entrepreneurs around the globe. The culture he created at Genzyme, and at the various institutions he worked for throughout his career, was widely seen as the gold standard for patient-focused drug development. He was a master at creating cultures where great science and great people could flourish. As the Boston Globe aptly noted, Termeer had “magnetism and warmth, and a deft ability to harness top talent toward a common goal.”Termeer, who was a larger-than-life figure across the biotechnology field, was instrumental in the founding of BIO in 1993, serving as its first vice chair for health.He was named Chairman of the organization in 1996. During his tenure as Chair of BIO, and in the years that followed, Termeer was a key catalyst in the growth of the organization and in establishing BIO’s position at the forefront of key policy and regulatory debates. He was an active member of BIO’s Board of Directors since its founding until his death, with only a short break in his tenure. Termeer served on BIO’s Executive Committee from 1993 to 2000.Following are statements from leadership at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO):“Few people in our industry have had as profound an impact as Henri Termeer on the science of biotechnology and the patients who depend on it,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “He had a unique ability to inspire the men and women around him. Henri certainly…
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