Genentech - Driven by Science

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Joseph McCracken, Vice President of Business Development at Genentech, about the strategy and drivers behind the company's various licensing and collaboration deals. Joseph describes the benefits of a partnership with Genentech: namely, its dynamic and innovative approach, and the economies of scale and expertise that result from its large size. Also detailed are the alliance management techniques used by Genentech in its various collaborations. In addition, Joseph talks about Genentech's approach to the spin-out companies it generates when promising work falls outside its therapeutic areas of focus.

About Joseph McCracken

Dr Joseph McCracken was appointed as Vice President, Business Development at Genentech in August 2000. Before that, he served as Vice President of Technology Licensing and Alliances at Aventis Pharmaceuticals in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Previously, he worked as Vice President, Worldwide Business and Technology Development, at Rhône-Poulenc Rorer. Joseph also worked at Genentech earlier in his career, when he served in many capacities, culminating in the position of Representative Director, Genentech Limited Tokyo. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, a Master of Science in Pharmacology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University.

About Genentech

Founded more than 30 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercialises biotherapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. A considerable number of the currently approved biotechnology products originated from, or are based on, Genentech science. The company manufactures and commercialises multiple biotechnology products and licenses several additional products to other companies.