The Council for Entrepreneurial Development has picked North Carolina life science pacesetter Art Pappas, managing partner of venture capital firm Pappas Ventures, to receive its 2017 Life Science Leadership Award.

Pappas, who serves on the board of directors of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s executive committee as its past chairman, has contributed some three decades to the growth of North Carolina’s global leadership in the life sciences. He’s also a director of the National Venture Capital Association.

He founded Pappas Capital in 1994, and over the past 20 years the firm has managed $450 million in capital and invested in more than 70 life science companies through its flagship Pappas Ventures business unit as well as its Specialized Fund Management business unit. Besides his service to NCBiotech, Pappas is a director for Aura Biosciences and, in 2005, became founding CEO of CoLucid Pharmaceuticals. Last week CoLucid announced an agreement to be purchased by Lilly for $960 million.

Prior to founding Pappas Capital, Pappas held senior leadership positions at several multinational pharmaceutical companies for which he was responsible for the development, licensing and launch of a number of global products. He was an executive member of the board of directors of Glaxo Holdings plc (now GSK), and served as Glaxo’s chief executive responsible for international operations including research, development and manufacturing.

Committed to helping entrepreneurs

“Thanks to CED for honoring me with the 2017 Life Science Leadership Award. I am proud to be part of a leading community that drives innovation,” said Pappas. “The Pappas Ventures team and I remain committed to helping entrepreneurs build and grow great companies that impact major unmet medical needs.”

Presented annually at the CED Life Science Conference, the CED Life Science Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the life science community here in North Carolina. Past recipients of the award have included Fred Eshelman (founder of Eshelman Ventures, LLC, founder of PPD), Bob Ingram (general partner at Hatteras Venture Partners, former CEO of GSK), Dennis Gillings (founder of Quintiles, co-founder of GHO Capital), and Ralph Snyderman (James B. Duke Professor of Medicine, Chancellor Emeritus of Duke University).

Award presentation during March 1 closing lunch

Pappas will be presented the award at the closing lunch the 26th annual CED Life Science Conference, to be held February 28 and March 1 in Raleigh. The March 1 lunch will be open to all registered attendees of the conference.

As one of the nation’s longest-running entrepreneurial events, the CED Life Science Conference attracts over 1,000 attendees each year including entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners, corporate leaders, researchers, and professional service providers. Pappas will appear along with other global thought leaders speaking to the latest trends, success stories, and future of the life science industry.

The CED Life Science Conference showcases the most exciting and innovative North Carolina-based life science companies on stage and in the Innovation Room. These selected companies, chosen through an application process, will be announced in the coming week. The conference also features high-level networking opportunities including sophisticated partnering software. Partnering allows attendees to schedule private one-on-one meetings to capitalize on networking at the conference; it is included with registration for entrepreneurs, investors, sponsors, and university professionals.

To learn more about the conference and register, visit www.cednc.org/LSC

The conference is presented in partnership with the Biotech Center and the North Carolina Biosciences Organization.

(C) N.C. Biotechnology Center