Linking academia and industry to bring drugs to the clinic: an interview with George Tidmarsh

874 G eorge Francis Tidmarsh was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1960. He studied for an MD and PhD in Cancer Biology at Stanford University, where he also completed his clinical training in neonatology and pediatric oncology. He has over 20 years experience in the biotechnology industry and has been instrumental in guiding three drugs through the process of FDA approval. Currently CEO of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Inc., he is also Consulting Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. During his career, George has served as CEO or President of several innovative biotechnology companies, including Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Horizon Pharma, Inc. (he founded both). During his time at Horizon, George invented and led the development of Duexis®, a drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, George has been a senior officer within Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc., where he led clinical development of the anti-cancer drug BEXXAR®, and SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he led clinical development of Doxil®, another anti-cancer agent. Can you pinpoint one event or reason behind your decision to embark on a career in science? My interest in science dates back to my days as a seventh grader. My school had open classrooms and students were allowed to spend time in whatever subject they wanted. I found myself in science classes most of the time, drawn in by my natural fascination for the subject. The real turning point though was when I read Biology of the Cancer Cell by G. H. Heppner in high school. After that, I never gave another career a second thought.