CEO Monthly Sept

4 CEO MONTHLY / AUGUST 2017 Tolero Pharmaceuticals is a clinical–stage biopharmaceutical company with a single-minded purpose, to alleviate human suffering through the development of meaningful medicines, to treat both cancer and other serious human diseases. Tomark their inclusion in the Global CEO Top 100, we interviewed the company’s founder and CEO, David Bearss to find out why it is such an exciting time to be a part of cancer drug development. Exciting Times for Cancer Research Tolero Pharmaceuticals is a research-based company, who seek opportunities to develop new drugs for high unmet medical needs, to benefit patients with serious diseases. Founder and CEO, David Bearss is eager to explain the science that drives the company’s work and to provide an insight into his own role there, which he has held since 2011. “We work to understand the science driving these conditions and we can translate that biology into new medicines. We work closely with colleagues’ at large cancer research centres around the world. We test and evaluate the safety and efficiency of new drugs that we discover, to ensure that we are always meeting the needs of our patients. “I am the founder and CEO of Tolero Pharmaceuticals and I have had this role since the company was founded, so it has been exciting for me to be involved from the very beginning with our programmes. I have served in leadership roles, in both the academic setting and in the pharmaceutical industry, prior to founding Tolero. “I am a scientist by training and as such, that keeps me grounded and focused on our core principles, which is that good science makes good medicines and good medicines, make good business. My experience has helped to lead the scientific process of a developing a pharmaceutical company. “It is an honour to be recognised by our inclusion in the Global CEO Top 100. We have worked hard to build Tolero Pharmaceuticals and we are committed to making meaningful medicines for patients.” Following on from this, David explains the company’s strong team and why it is such an exciting time to be involved with cancer drug development. “We have built a solid core management team of expert scientists, managers and experienced advisors—including key leaders in academia and business. The expertise and diversity of our team has enabled us to develop promising assets, that offer both new and unique ways to treat people with serious diseases.
 “It’s really an exciting time in cancer drug development. During the past five years, we have seen over 20 new drugs approved for cancer patients. I don’t think we have seen a more productive time in the history of cancer research. “Some of the challenges we face are: How do we sustain new meaningful medicines to the patient? Who will pay for the high cost of new drugs? We are committed to look for more affordable ways to bring the best medicine possible to patients. There has never been a better time for discovery of new medicines and we are committed to our core that good science makes good medicines and good medicines are good business.”
 As the CEO, David feels it is his job to ensure everyone can do their job effectively, by removing the obstacles that get in the team’s way. He explains this interesting point to us in his own words. “I work hard to identify the challenges that face our team and try to eliminate them, so that everyone can be effective in their specific role. It is very important when you manage highly trained physicians and scientists, to keep them focused on the real challenges, which are the diseases we are trying to treat. I try to inspire them to see the potential of projects and how to realise that. “Being the founder of the company, I have seen it grow from its dawn up to being acquired by a larger business. I have worn so many hats during the start-up company phase until now and as such, I have learned to adapt to the changing environment, as we have grown. We are now in a transition phase, where we are hiring new talented professional to fill the roles I had previously taken. 1709CEO1 Hence, I have changed the way I work, to allow new team members to come in and help pick up and expand the foundational aspect of the business, which I spent many years building.” Looking ahead, David reveals the exciting future in store for Tolero Pharmaceuticals. “We have just gone through an acquisition and we are excited to see all the new projects and drugs go to the stage of clinical trials in patients, who need new medicines. It is a very exciting time in the history of the company and we are working hard to push these new medicines forward. “I am excited to oversee the rapid growth phase we are presently in. We will be able to move one or more products to the final stage of clinical testing during the next two to three years, so for me to see a drug come from the discovery stage, all the way to approval would an exciting accomplishment for me personally.” Company: Tolero Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Name: David Bearss Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.toleropharma.com Address: 2975 Executive Parkway Suite # 320, Lehi, UT 84043 USA Telephone: +1 801 285 6003