On November 6, 2017 Portola Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:PTLA) reported the appointment of John H. (Jack) Lawrence, M.D., as senior vice president and chief medical officer (CMO), effective immediately (Press release, Portola Pharmaceuticals, NOV 6, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2314505 [SID1234521587]). Dr. Lawrence will report to William Lis, chief executive officer, and will be responsible for leading all product development, as well as clinical strategies. He will also serve on the company’s Executive Committee.
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"Jack’s reputation and achievements in global thrombosis product development and regulatory approvals will be valuable assets to Portola as we begin to launch betrixaban and prepare for the potential approval of andexanet in 2018," said Mr. Lis. "We’re pleased to add his executive leadership and expertise to our management team to help us continue to advance Portola as a leading thrombosis and hematologic biotechnology company."
Dr. Lawrence joins Portola from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he held positions of increasing responsibility in the company’s cardiovascular division. He was vice president and cardiovascular therapeutic area head with responsibility for global clinical development and regulatory activities of the Factor Xa inhibitor, apixaban. He also provided strategic input into the discovery and early development efforts for BMS’ cardiovascular programs, including phase 2 trials in heart failure and stroke prevention.
"I have long admired Portola’s leadership team and am incredibly excited by the unique opportunity to bring two important new therapies – andexanet alfa, the first ever reversal agent for Factor Xa inhibitors, and Bevyxxa (betrixaban), the first and only drug approved for extended-duration prophylaxis of VTE – to patients in need," said Dr. Lawrence. "I’m confident that my experience will support the company’s goals of continuing to develop transformative medicines and getting them to the patients who need them most."
Dr. Lawrence received his medical degree from the University of Virginia and completed his cardiology fellowship training at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he later served as an associate professor.