From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Mon Apr 27 2009 - 20:42:56 EDT
Press Releases
Menghis Bairu, M.D., Joins OneWorld Health Board of Directors
Executive Vice President,Head of Global Development and Chief Medical
Officer for Biotech Leader Élan Latest Addition to Board of Nonprofit
Pharmaceutical Company
San Francisco, USA - April 16, 2009
The Institute for OneWorld Health, the US-based non-profit
pharmaceutical company that develops drugs for people with neglected
infectious diseases in the developing world, today announced the
appointment of Menghis Bairu, M.D., as a member of its Board of
Directors.
Dr. Bairu brings nearly two decades of international experience in the
pharmaceutical industry and nonprofit arena, where his work has focused
on addressing the unmet healthcare needs of underserved communities.
"We are delighted to welcome to our board an accomplished physician,
scientist and business professional with a deep commitment to providing
the world's most impoverished communities with access to essential
medicines," said Richard Chin, M.D., OneWorld Health's Chief Executive
Officer. "I look forward to Dr. Bairu's advice in furthering OneWorld
Health's mission to develop safe, effective and affordable medicines for
those who need them the most."
Dr. Bairu's healthcare expertise spans the commercial, research and
development and managed care sectors of the pharmaceutical industry,
with particular emphasis on the clinical development of vital new
therapies. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Head of
Global Development and Chief Medical Officer for Elan, an
internationally renowned neuroscience/biotech company based in Dublin,
Ireland with US headquarters in South San Francisco, California. Prior
to joining Elan, Dr. Bairu worked at Genentech from 1999 to 2004 in
various commercial, clinical and managed care roles of increasing
responsibilities.
"I am honored to serve on OneWorld Health's Board and to contribute to
its unique efforts in developing new essential medicines for some of the
world's most devastating neglected diseases," said Dr. Bairu. "We have
some real opportunities to effect large-scale change in global health
and I am excited and gratified to be working with OneWorld Health's
leadership as we move ahead."
Complementing the corporate and philanthropic elements of healthcare
advances has always been a commitment of Dr. Bairu. In 1999 he
co-founded International Medical Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3)
foundation whose mission is to acquire medical equipment and materials
for donation to charitable institutions and government health care
entities in developing countries. He is also the Founder and Chair of
the East African Medical Association, Europe and was Chair of the
Eritrean Medical Association, Italy.
Dr. Bairu received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration
from Instituto VII Tecnico Commerciale in Milan, Italy, and attended the
Universita Statale, Facolta' di Medicina e Chirurgia (Faculty of
Medicine & Surgery) in Milan, where he received his Medical Degree. Dr.
Bairu's Professional Society associations include the American Academy
of Neurology, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians, the
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the European Neurological
Society and the European Federation of Neurological Society. His Board
memberships include Elan Pharma K.K. (Japan) and Elan Pharma Limited
(United Kingdom).
In addition to his professional experience, Dr. Bairu's personal journey
makes him uniquely suited to serve as a board member. Dr. Bairu was
raised in Eritrea, East Africa, and was a refugee in the Sudan in the
late 70s. He migrated from Eritrea to Europe as a young adult, and has
since traveled extensively to developing countries to offer assistance
and encouragement. Along the way Dr. Bairu has proven to be steadfastly
committed to trying to reduce the impact of preventable and treatable
infectious diseases in developing countries by working with many
national and international agencies.
###
About the Institute for OneWorld Health
The Institute for OneWorld Health, the first US nonprofit pharmaceutical
company, develops safe, effective and affordable medicines for people
with neglected diseases of the developing world. The Institute for
OneWorld Health, headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, is a
tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) US corporation. (http://www.oneworldhealth.org/)
). Media resources are available at
http://www.oneworldhealth.org/media/index.php/
<http://www.oneworldhealth.org/media_center
http://www.oneworldhealth.org/press_releases/release/pr_1239995366