Biocom California, the association representing California’s life science industry, has appointed Hala Madanat, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation at San Diego State University, and Thomas A. Briggs, partner at Jones Day, to its board of governors.
“As the life science community flourishes and evolves, it’s important we continue adding passionate and knowledgeable individuals to our board who can help us continue to support and meet the needs of the industry,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom California. “Both appointments will undoubtedly prove beneficial as we leverage their deep expertise and insight to aid member companies in their quest to improve the human condition.”
Dr. Madanat currently serves as the vice president for research and innovation at San Diego State University. In this role, Dr. Madanat is charged with stewarding the university’s expansive research enterprise, supporting the development of SDSU’s Mission Valley Innovation District and overseeing SDSU’s research advancement, research support services and technology transfer efforts and the SDSU Research Foundation.
Briggs is a partner at Jones Day, where he negotiates technology-based transactions such as licenses, strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures in the life sciences industry. He was a founder of the IP Licensing and Technology Transactions team and has deep experience representing clients in cross-border transactions, including representing companies in the USA, China, and Japan in pharmaceutical, veterinary and biotechnology deals.
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La Jolla resident Annette Bradbury was recently elected chair of the board of directors for Voices for Children (VFC), the local nonprofit organization certified by the courts in San Diego and Riverside Counties to recruit and train Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers.
Bradbury, a native of England, is an active community volunteer who has served in executive capacities on several nonprofit boards of directors. She will serve a two-year term as chair during fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Her role was previously held by longtime VFC supporter, AnneElise Goetz.
CASA advocates serve as consistent, caring adults for vulnerable children who are in foster care after experiencing abuse or neglect. CASAs advocate by providing critical information to judges making decisions about the children’s futures.
The CASA board also welcomed Justin Gover, Dr. Magda Marquet and Mark Wernig as new board members. Gover is a senior biotech executive and founding CEO of GW Pharmaceuticals.; Dr. Marquet is a serial entrepreneur in life sciences and co-founder of ALMA Life Sciences; and Mark Wernig is co-CEO at Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors.
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Dexcom has tapped Jacob S. Leach to be the company’s new chief operating officer.
Leach, 44, has served as Dexcom’s chief technology officer since October 2018. Prior to that, he was the company’s senior vice president of Research and Development. He’s been with Dexcom since 2004.
Before joining Dexcom, Leach held R&D executive positions at MiniMed and Medtronic Diabetes, and was focused on developing glucose sensing systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from UCLA
