Source : BusinessWire

Biotechnology Pioneer Jean-Paul Clozel Named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008

Le 01/06/2008

Dr. Jean-Paul Clozel, founder of Switzerland's Actelion
Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a pioneering biotechnology company, was last
night named the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 at
an awards ceremony held in Monte Carlo's Salle des Etoiles. Clozel was
picked from among entrepreneurs representing more than 40 countries
who were vying for the title.


Founded in 1997, Actelion is a leader in the development of
small-molecule drugs for the treatment of pulmonary disease, and its
products have improved the lives of patients worldwide.


Joe Schoendorf, Partner of venture capital firm Accel Partners and
Chairman of the judging panel said, "Jean-Paul took huge risks leaving
a big, successful company to found a new one in an incredibly
difficult sector - biotechnology. And those risks have paid off, for
Jean-Paul and his team, for his investors, and, most importantly, for
the tens of thousands of patients Actelion's drugs help."


"Being named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 is
a great honor for me and my team," said Clozel. "To be singled out
from such a strong field of entrepreneurs makes us very proud."


"It's amazing how quickly Jean-Paul has built Actelion from
nothing to a market capitalization of nearly EUR 4 billion in a highly
competitive and complex sector," said Greg Ericksen, Ernst & Young's
Global Vice Chair for Strategic Growth Markets. "His vision and
passion have enabled him to become one of the biotechnology industry's
most recognized global success stories."


"Entrepreneurs achieve great things and make a real difference to
their customers, their employees, their communities and the global
economy," said Jim Turley, Global Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young.
"Their vision, leadership, determination and sheer hard work inspire
all of my colleagues and me, and that is why we are so proud of the
22-year history of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year. Through his
leadership of Actelion, Jean-Paul has epitomized the entrepreneurial
spirit, improved the lives of thousands, and is very worthy of the
title Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008."


About Jean-Paul Clozel and Actelion


Jean-Paul Clozel is a cardiologist educated in France, with
further training in pharmacology and physiology at the University of
Montreal, Canada, and the University of California, San Francisco.
After eleven years as a clinician, he decided to move to applied
research. During his 12 years at F. Hoffmann-La Roche, he was
responsible for the selection of the first T-channel blocker. He also
participated in the characterization of renin inhibitors as well as
several endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan and
clazosentan. Overall, the group he was heading discovered seven
compounds that entered clinical trials. He has developed various,
novel experimental models allowing the differentiation of these drugs,
work honored with the 1997 Hoffmann-La Roche Research Prize. At the
end of 1997, he founded biotechnology company Actelion, together with
his wife, Martine, and work colleagues and friends Walter Fischli and
Thomas Widmann. First mainly focusing on Research and Development, he
became CEO of the company to bring Actelion to the public in April
2000. During his 25-year career in cardiology, he has published widely
in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. At the same time,
his passion has remained unchanged: being as closely as possible
involved in bringing innovative medicine to "his" patients.


Actelion is a leader in the development of synthetic
small-molecule drugs and produces the products Tracleer (bosentan), an
oral treatment for WHO Class III or IV pulmonary arterial hypertension
(PAH), a chronic, life-threatening disorder which severely compromises
the function of the lungs and heart, Zavesca (miglustat), a
small-molecule oral therapy for the treatment of type 1 Gaucher
disease, a genetic lipid storage disorder. Ventavis (iloprost) is an
inhaled formulation of iloprost, approved for the treatment of
pulmonary arterial hypertension.


About Entrepreneur Of The Year


Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most
prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a
difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity
among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people
who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.


As the first and only truly global award of its kind Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading
successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through
regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities
in 50 countries.


About Ernst & Young


Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction
and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our
shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a
difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider
communities achieve potential.


For more information, please visit www.ey.com.


Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of
Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal
entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by
guarantee, does not provide services to clients.


This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the
global Ernst & Young organization that also does not provide any
services to clients.


Contact :

Ernst & Young Global PR
Kevin Russell
+44 (0)20 7980 0502 / +44 (0)7884 235 847
kevin.russell@uk.ey.com

Plus d'infos sur Ernst & Young