Episode #5: Jim Harper, Eli Lilly, Retired Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Summary: Jim talks about the opportunities and challenges in biotech drawing from his extensive experience, and also offers some advice for entrepreneurs and students interested in the industry. To download this podcast, click here James A. (Jim) Harper serves as an Advisor to Nomura Phase4 Ventures. Mr. Harper served as the Group Vice President of global marketing and sales and chief marketing officer of Eli Lilly and Company from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Harper was responsible for global marketing of products exceeding $11 billion in sales. He served as President of Diabetes and Growth Disorders Business Unit / Product Group of Eli Lilly and Company from 1994 to 2001. He served as vice president of global pharmaceutical marketing and director/executive director of market research at Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. He retired from Eli Lilly and Company in 2004. He gained significant marketing, operations and strategic expertise during his career. Earlier in his career, Mr. Harper served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc. during its transition from an early stage company to a highly profitable enterprise. He served as a Flight Officer with the U.S. Navy. He implemented innovative approaches to product development, and led many successful product launches, including significant major neuroscience therapies. He has 30 years of global experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Mr. Harper serves as Vice Chair of the board of the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation. Mr. Harper has been a Director of Corcept Therapeutics Inc., since October 12, 2004. He served as a Director of Phenomix Corporation since July 2007. He served as a Director of ZymoGenetics Inc., since July 1, 2004 until October 8th 2010. He served as a Director of Anesiva, Inc. from May 22 2007 to December 16, 2008. Mr. Harper holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business in Marketing and Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Vanderbilt University. Like this podcast, why not share it?