NETWORKING® MAGAZINE'S DAVID AWARD HONOREE, JANUARY 12, 2006

COLIN GODDARD, Ph.D.
CEO, OSI Pharmaceuticals

by Maureen Traxler

Trained as a cancer pharmacologist in Birmingham, England, Dr. Colin Goddard received his Ph.D. from the University of Aston in 1985. He and his wife Amanda came to the United States that same year, just three months after their marriage, as post doctoral fellows in cancer therapeutic research at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland. Goddard's research included the "src" gene, furthering the understanding of the genetic basis of cancer. "It was a terrific educational environment," says Goddard, "and I worked with researchers from all around the world." He relocated to Long Island in 1989, taking a job as a scientist at Oncogene Science, Inc.

`Like others who are propelled into a career or profession because of circumstances, Goddard explains that he went into cancer research after losing a friend to a brain tumor. Working as a manager of a student sports program in York, England, at the time, he decided to do something more meaningful with his life and applied to Birmingham. He adds, "And cancer became close to a lifelong mission."

"It's enormously satisfying to me that we can make an impact," remarks Goddard. "Cancer research is a journey, and although it seems that the cure is always just around the corner, we must realize that it's going to be a battle to be won one step at a time, and not with some magic bullet that comes along one day." He adds that some "fantastic progress" has been made in the past 10-15 years, "as we've really begun to capitalize on all the new science that comes out of the genome project and the molecular biology revolution." He points out OSI's flagship product Tarceva, for example, which is a new generation drug therapy that targets the cells that are causing cancer.

When Goddard started at OSI, the publicly traded company had 35 employees, and he says he was "the beneficiary, working in a small company that was doing a lot of different things. The company partnered with pharmaceutical houses and was growing. He advanced through the ranks from scientist to Program Manager (Drug Discovery) to Director (Drug Discovery), to Director (Pharmaceutical Operations), to Vice President Research Operations, to Executive Vice President/ COO, to President, and in 1998 was named Chief Executive Officer.

"I'm probably the proverbial jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none," claims Goddard with his distinctive British accent and humor. "But it suited me well. I loved the challenges and learning experiences." Today, OSI employs 750 people in the United States and the UK.

As CEO, Goddard led the transition of the company from, what he calls, "just a research bucket shop" in 2000, focusing on drug discovery, technology and the development of diagnostic cancer kits. For the past five or six years, he explains, the company has focused on oncology efforts and research in the areas of diabetes and obesity. With the approval of Tarceva in 2004 for the treatment of lung cancer, Goddard says "the challenge switched from a development stage company to one that is a commercially viable."

"Although R&D is important," adds Goddard, the company looked to add another source of revenue, and acquired Eyetech, bringing in another product, Macugen¨, a therapeutic treatment for macular degeneration. OSI solidified its base with OSI Prosidion, its UK subsidiary, which focuses on discovery and development of diabetes and obesity therapeutic treatments, forming "a governance structure around three business units." Goddard concludes, "We started with a small piece of the puzzle, and we built a full fledged, and what we think, exciting-looking pharmaceutical company," and yet, OSI was able to hang onto its smallness.

"It was a privilege to build a team of really capable individuals," says Goddard, "and to operate in an industry that works in teams."

"I think it's very important, too," Goddard adds, "for corporations to be involved in their communities. It's very much a symbiotic exchange. We get as much back as we put in."

Motivated by his interest in cancer, Goddard is active in promoting the advancement of cancer treatment and awareness, science education and the biotechnology industry. He has supported CancerCare of Long Island and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. He encourages his employees to get involved in community service. "It's good for team building and the morale of the company," he says, "and it raises money for some very important causes."

OSI has a proactive community outreach program, including campus tours of its research building. "It's great for kids who are often coming from high schools where they don't ever get exposure to world-class research, equipment and technology, remarks Goddard. "Here they see the science in action that they are hearing and learning about in school." He also acknowledges the need to "champion women in science," adding that there are "not enough role models in our school system."

OSI offers summer internships for high school and college students, and sponsors internships at Farmingdale State University. Mentorships often result from internships, and some students have worked closely with OSI research team members. Goddard and his staff also make presentations, attend forums at universities, and judge science fairs.

Goddard has been a member of the board of directors of the Long Island Association and has worked with the industry's New York Biotechnology Association. "Philosophically, I view the charity and science education work as more fulfilling and important," comments Goddard, than corporate and industry involvement. He serves on the board of the Winston Churchill Foundation, which sponsors American students studying science at Churchill College in Cambridge, England, and he personally sponsors a scholarship.

"I'm very privileged to have had an opportunity to have a challenging job in something that's deep rooted in my personal interest," says Goddard, who lives in Kings Park with his wife and three daughters, Sarah, Katie and Jennifer, who all attend Kings Park High School. He enjoys sports, particularly soccer and running, traveling and spending time with his family.