Amgen Chairman and CEO to Discuss "Strategic Challenges for a Biopharmaceutical Company"

Keynote Address for 3rd Annual Biotechnology Conference and Case Competition

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest University Schools of Business is pleased to announce that Kevin Sharer, Chairman and CEO of Amgen, will be the keynote speaker for the 2012 Wake Forest Schools of Business Biotechnology Conference. “Strategic Challenges for a Biopharmaceutical Company” is being presented as part of the Broyhill Leading Out Loud Executive Lecture Series.

The presentation is Friday, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in the Worrell Professional Center auditorium (room 1312) on the Wake Forest University campus. The event is free and open to the public. Wake Forest students, faculty, staff and alumni will have priority seating.

Sharer joined Amgen in 1992 and has served in various management roles. He became the company’s chief executive officer in 2000 and has served as chairman of the Board of Directors since 2001. Before joining Amgen, Sharer was president of the Business Markets Division of MCI Communications. Prior to MCI, Sharer served in a variety of executive capacities at General Electric and was a consultant for McKinsey & Company. He is a past president of the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Sharer serves on the Board of Directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation and Chevron, and is a member of the United States Naval Academy Foundation.

Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer since 1980, discovers, develops, and delivers innovative human therapeutics. The company’s medicines help millions of patients in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses.

Students from top universities around the country will converge at Wake Forest University on Feb. 24 – 25 for the 3rd Annual Biotechnology Conference and Case Competition. Teams comprised of business, law, science and medical students will respond to a strategic challenge presented by case sponsor Johnson & Johnson.

In addition to Wake Forest University Schools of Business, 2012 Biotechnology Case Competition teams include: Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University, University of California-Berkley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of California- San Diego, University of Chicago, University of Michigan and University of Texas. The first place team will take home a prize of $10,000. Winners will be announced at a gala on Feb. 25.

The Biotechnology Conference and Case Competition is organized by student co-chairs Justin Kistler (MBA ’12), Travis Riedel (MBA ’11, PhD ’12), Adam Vincent (MBA ’12) and Andrew Wilber (MBA ’12). The faculty advisor is Len Preslar, Distinguished Professor of Practice and Executive Director of Health Management Programs at Wake Forest University Schools of Business.

The event is made possible by generous support from the following sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, Wake Forest Baptist Health, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Novant Health, Amgen, Banner Pharmacaps, Benefit Advocates, Cornerstone Healthcare, Merz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Sanofi, Targacept and Transtech Pharma.