Dr. Jean-Paul Clozel
Founder, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Switzerland
2008 award winner
EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2008
EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2007 Switzerland
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. 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. 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. Although he first focused 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 been published widely in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. At the same time, his passion has remained unchanged: being involved as closely as possible in bringing innovative medicine to “his” patients.
*Information correct as of June 2008.
