Biotechnology Pioneer

Biotechnology Pioneer Jean-Paul Clozel Named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008

MONTE CARLO, Monaco--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. Jean-Paul Clozel, founder of Switzerland’s Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a pioneering biotechnology company, was last night named the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 at an awards ceremony held in Monte Carlo’s Salle des Etoiles. Clozel was picked from among entrepreneurs representing more than 40 countries who were vying for the title.

Founded in 1997, Actelion is a leader in the development of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of pulmonary disease, and its products have improved the lives of patients worldwide.

Joe Schoendorf, Partner of venture capital firm Accel Partners and Chairman of the judging panel said, “Jean-Paul took huge risks leaving a big, successful company to found a new one in an incredibly difficult sector – biotechnology. And those risks have paid off, for Jean-Paul and his team, for his investors, and, most importantly, for the tens of thousands of patients Actelion’s drugs help.”

“Being named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 is a great honor for me and my team,” said Clozel. “To be singled out from such a strong field of entrepreneurs makes us very proud.”

“It’s amazing how quickly Jean-Paul has built Actelion from nothing to a market capitalization of nearly €4 billion in a highly competitive and complex sector,” said Greg Ericksen, Ernst & Young’s Global Vice Chair for Strategic Growth Markets. “His vision and passion have enabled him to become one of the biotechnology industry’s most recognized global success stories.”

“Entrepreneurs achieve great things and make a real difference to their customers, their employees, their communities and the global economy,” said Jim Turley, Global Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young. “Their vision, leadership, determination and sheer hard work inspire all of my colleagues and me, and that is why we are so proud of the 22-year history of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year. Through his leadership of Actelion, Jean-Paul has epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit, improved the lives of thousands, and is very worthy of the title Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008.”

About Jean-Paul Clozel and Actelion

Jean-Paul Clozel is a cardiologist educated in France, with further training in pharmacology and physiology at the University of Montreal, Canada, and the University of California, San Francisco. After eleven years as a clinician, he decided to move to applied research. During his 12 years at F. Hoffmann-La Roche, he was responsible for the selection of the first T-channel blocker. He also participated in the characterization of renin inhibitors as well as several endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan and clazosentan. Overall, the group he was heading discovered seven compounds that entered clinical trials. He has developed various, novel experimental models allowing the differentiation of these drugs, work honored with the 1997 Hoffmann-La Roche Research Prize. At the end of 1997, he founded biotechnology company Actelion, together with his wife, Martine, and work colleagues and friends Walter Fischli and Thomas Widmann. First mainly focusing on Research and Development, he became CEO of the company to bring Actelion to the public in April 2000. During his 25-year career in cardiology, he has published widely in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. At the same time, his passion has remained unchanged: being as closely as possible involved in bringing innovative medicine to “his” patients.

Actelion is a leader in the development of synthetic small-molecule drugs and produces the products Tracleer (bosentan), an oral treatment for WHO Class III or IV pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a chronic, life-threatening disorder which severely compromises the function of the lungs and heart, Zavesca (miglustat), a small-molecule oral therapy for the treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease, a genetic lipid storage disorder. Ventavis (iloprost) is an inhaled formulation of iloprost, approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

As the first and only truly global award of its kind Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

Contacts

Ernst & Young Global PR
Kevin Russell
[phone] / [phone]
[e-mail]