Art Pappas to Receive the Life Science Leadership Award at the CED Life Science Conference 2017

Top Gathering of Life Science Innovators in the Southeast
February 28-March 1, 2017 in Raleigh, NC

DURHAM, NC, January 24, 2017 — The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), the largest and longest-running network for entrepreneurs in the country, today announced that Art Pappas will be presented with the Life Science Leadership Award at the 26th annual CED Life Science Conference, to be held February 28-March 1 in Raleigh, NC. Pappas will be presented with the award at the Closing Lunch on March 1 which will be open to all registered attendees of the conference.

Art Pappas is the managing partner of Pappas Capital, a leading life science venture capital firm. Art founded Pappas Capital in 1994, and over the past two decades the firm has managed $450 million in capital and invested in more than 70 life science companies through its flagship Pappas Ventures business unit as well as its Specialized Fund Management business unit.  The firm is known for its entrepreneurial approach in building companies, such as CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, where he is the Chairman and also served as the founding CEO, Afferent Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Merck), Lumena (acquired by Shire), Syntonix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Biogen), LEAD Therapeutics (acquired by BioMarin) and Plexxikon (acquired by Daiichi Sankyo).

Art also served on the board of directors of Quintiles (now QuintilesIMS) and prior to founding Pappas Capital, he was on the board of directors of Glaxo Holdings plc (now GSK).  Art is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Venture Capital Association and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, where he was a past chair.  He also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Duke Cancer Institute, the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, and oversees the Catalyst Fund with Wake Forest Innovations. 

“Thanks to CED for honoring me with the 2017 Life Science Leadership Award. I am proud to be part of a leading community that drives innovation,” said Pappas. “The Pappas Ventures team and I remain committed to helping entrepreneurs build and grow great companies that impact major unmet medical needs.”

Presented annually at the CED Life Science Conference, the CED Life Science Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the life science community here in North Carolina. Past recipients of the award have included Fred Eshelman (founder of Eshelman Ventures, LLC, founder of PPD), Bob Ingram (general partner at Hatteras Venture Partners, former CEO of GSK), Dennis Gillings (founder of Quintiles, co-founder of GHO Capital), and Ralph Snyderman (James B. Duke Professor of Medicine, Chancellor Emeritus of Duke University).

As one of the nation’s longest-running entrepreneurial events, the CED Life Science Conference attracts over 1,000 attendees each year including entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners, corporate leaders, researchers, and professional service providers. Pappas will appear along with other global thought leaders speaking to the latest trends, success stories, and future of the life science industry.

The CED Life Science Conference showcases the most exciting and innovative North Carolina-based life science companies on stage and in the Innovation Room. These selected companies, chosen through an application process, will be announced in the coming week. The conference also features high-level networking opportunities including sophisticated partnering software. Partnering allows attendees to schedule private one-on-one meetings to capitalize on networking at the conference; it is included with registration for entrepreneurs, investors, sponsors, and university professionals.

To learn more about the conference and register, visit www.cednc.org/LSC 

As always, CED members receive the best rates. For more information on becoming a member, please visit cednc.org/join

The conference is presented in partnership with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and the North Carolina Biosciences Organization.

Media interested in attending the conference should contact Emily McLoughlin at emcloughlin@cednc.org or 919-800-7165.

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About CED

CED is the largest and longest-running network for entrepreneurs in the country. CED’s network propels emerging Triangle companies into highly successful businesses. Members include a wide range of startup and growth stage companies, investors, corporate partners, academics, service providers, and individuals interested in benefiting from CED’s powerfully connected network.

About the North Carolina Biotechnology Center

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center leads life science technology based economic development for North Carolina by supporting the progression of ideas from research lab to the marketplace. NCBiotech invests in technology development through grants, in company development through loans, and in economic development through infrastructure grants. The Biotech Center’s programs and activities target emerging sectors and work across North Carolina to develop strengths that yield jobs in the life sciences.

About NCBIO

NCBIO is the trade association for North Carolina’s life sciences industry. The Organization has more than 160 members working in human and animal therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and agricultural and industrial biotechnology.