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Essex Woodlands Health Ventures Expands Top Tier Investment Team

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 October 2007, 06:00 CDT

Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, (www.ewhv.com), a leading venture capital firm solely dedicated to healthcare investing, today announces the appointment of a new Senior Advisor, Karen Katen, former senior executive at Pfizer Inc. Having attracted $1 billion in investment capital over the past three years, Essex Woodlands continues to expand its elite management team with the addition of Ms. Katen.

Ms. Katen's career at Pfizer spans more than three decades with twenty successive promotions and appointments culminating in her position as corporate Vice Chairman and President of Pfizer Human Health, the company's principal operating group. Her experience extends to virtually every aspect of the pharmaceutical industry including marketing, sales, licensing, research and development, manufacturing and operations. She has dealt with an array of evolving marketplace and regulatory challenges and, with Pfizer's acquisition of Warner Lambert in 2000 and Pharmacia in 2003, implemented the largest corporate integration in U.S. pharmaceutical history.

In describing her decision to join Essex Woodlands, Ms. Katen said: "Throughout its 20-year history, Essex Woodlands has been an exceptionally successful healthcare investment firm -- entirely due to the knowledge, vision and abilities of its professional management team. Healthcare now faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. I am delighted to be joining the firm that can uniquely realize the promise ahead."

Ms. Katen will operate from the firm's New York City office. Managing Director Mark Pacala said on her appointment: "Karen Katen is arguably one of the most accomplished and successful pharmaceutical executives in the world. We are thrilled with the prospect of her contributions to the firm. She will add immensely to the quality of our investments."

As a Senior Advisor, Ms. Katen will contribute to the overall leadership of the firm, including initiating and evaluating new investment opportunities.

Ms. Katen has served on several healthcare-related boards, including as Treasurer for PhRMA, the industry association representing America's research-based pharmaceutical companies, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the RAND Corporation's Health Board of Advisors -- where she continues to serve. She was also a member of the Healthcare Leadership Council.

At present, Ms. Katen is the Chairman of the Pfizer Foundation and is also a director on the boards of General Motors Corporation and the Harris Corporation. In addition, she serves on the boards of Catalyst and the Economic Club of New York. Having received both her B.A. and M.B.A. at the University of Chicago, Ms. Katen is also a Trustee of the University and a Council Member of the Graduate School of Business.

In 2005, Ms. Katen was named among the top ten in Fortune magazine's ranking of "50 Most Powerful Women in Business," a list she has been on for eight consecutive years. For her commitment to community and improving public health, she has received 11 distinct "Woman of the Year" or similar awards from civic groups, national associations and universities.

About Essex Woodlands Health Ventures

Essex Woodlands is one of the largest and oldest venture capital firms pursuing investments in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, health services, managed care and health information. Since its founding in 1985, Essex Woodlands has maintained its singular commitment to the healthcare industry and has been involved in the founding, investing, and/or management of over 100 healthcare companies ranging across all sectors, stages and geography. The team is comprised of over 20 investment professionals with principal offices in Palo Alto, California; Houston, Texas; New York City; and London, United Kingdom. For more information please see www.ewhv.com.

 For further information, please contact: Mark Pacala Managing Director Essex Woodlands Health Ventures Tel.: (646) 429-1251  

SOURCE: Essex Woodlands Health Ventures

Source: MARKET WIRE

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