Geneva, Switzerland - 23 June 2015 : Waypoint Capital, the business enterprise for investments associated with the Bertarelli family, today announces the appointment of Christopher A. Viehbacher as the Managing Partner of its US-based Gurnet Point Capital (“GPC”) fund. GPC will have an initial allocation of US$2billion of capital to invest, with a mandate to lead its global healthcare investment strategy. Chris Viehbacher has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi and Chairman of Genzyme.
Ernesto Bertarelli, the Chairman of Waypoint, said: "Chris is an industry leader with significant experience in acquiring companies, business development and licensing. In combination, this makes him the ideal person to lead Gurnet Point Capital and to drive our distinctive value- creating investment approach. Chris’s appointment is another demonstration of our ability to partner with best-in-class individuals.
“We have considerable capital to invest, but to succeed in the healthcare market requires more than money; it requires the experience, ability and relationships to create successful partnerships; the development and regulatory competency; and the know-how to create value from individual molecules, devices or technologies. Chris has these qualities in abundance, which will complement our existing skills and the strategy we have set for GPC, building on the work that Fereydoun Firouz and his team undertook since they founded the fund. We thank Fereydoun for his critical role in establishing Gurnet Point Capital in 2013 and congratulate him on his recent appointment as Chairman & CEO designate of Ares Allergy Holdco Ltd., our new global group of operating companies in the allergy immunotherapy sector."
Mr. Viehbacher will grow the existing team headquartered at Gurnet Point Capital's office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, an area with which the Bertarelli family has a long and continuing association. He joins from 1 July 2015.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris Viehbacher said: "I am delighted to be joining Gurnet Point Capital and its team of outstanding healthcare experts, which we will continue to expand. It is a particular pleasure to be asked to work with Ernesto Bertarelli, who has such an outstanding track record of achievement himself in this sector.
“From the moment I first met Ernesto to discuss his vision for GPC, I knew we shared an outlook for an approach to investment that combines capital with know-how, and takes a global approach to seeking the best and most exciting opportunities. Science is progressing at an accelerating pace and the next few years will see a number of more transformative treatments, devices and technologies coming to market. I know Gurnet Point Capital will be at the heart of bringing those to patients, and I look forward to working with Ernesto and his team to make this happen."
