PRESS RELEASE
WAYPOINT APPOINTS CHRIS VIEHBACHER TO LEAD HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Geneva, Switzerland – 23 JUNE 2015: Waypoint Capital, the business enterprise for
investments associated with the Bertarelli family, today announces the appointment of
Christopher A. Viehbacher as the Managing Partner of its US-based Gurnet Point Capital
(“GPC”) fund. GPC will have an initial allocation of US$2billion of capital to invest, with a
mandate to lead its global healthcare investment strategy.
Chris Viehbacher has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Most
recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi and Chairman of Genzyme.
Ernesto Bertarelli, the Chairman of Waypoint, said: "Chris is an industry leader with significant
experience in acquiring companies, business development and licensing. In combination, this
makes him the ideal person to lead Gurnet Point Capital and to drive our distinctive valuecreating investment approach. Chris’s appointment is another demonstration of our ability to
partner with best-in-class individuals
“We have considerable capital to invest, but to succeed in the healthcare market requires more
than money; it requires the experience, ability and relationships to create successful
partnerships; the development and regulatory competency; and the know-how to create value
from individual molecules, devices or technologies. Chris has these qualities in abundance,
which will complement our existing skills and the strategy we have set for GPC, building on the
work that Fereydoun Firouz and his team undertook since they founded the fund. We thank
Fereydoun for his critical role in establishing Gurnet Point Capital in 2013 and congratulate him
on his recent appointment as Chairman & CEO designate of Ares Allergy Holdco Ltd., our new
global group of operating companies in the allergy immunotherapy sector."
Mr. Viehbacher will grow the existing team headquartered at Gurnet Point Capital's office in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, an area with which the Bertarelli family has a long and continuing
association. He joins from 1 July 2015.
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PRESS RELEASE
Commenting on his appointment, Chris Viehbacher said: "I am delighted to be joining Gurnet
Point Capital and its team of outstanding healthcare experts, which we will continue to expand.
It is a particular pleasure to be asked to work with Ernesto Bertarelli, who has such an
outstanding track record of achievement himself in this sector.
“From the moment I first met Ernesto to discuss his vision for GPC, I knew we shared an outlook
for an approach to investment that combines capital with know-how, and takes a global
approach to seeking the best and most exciting opportunities. Science is progressing at an
accelerating pace and the next few years will see a number of more transformative treatments,
devices and technologies coming to market. I know Gurnet Point Capital will be at the heart of
bringing those to patients, and I look forward to working with Ernesto and his team to make
this happen."
--ENDS-Waypoint
Waypoint Capital is the business enterprise for the managers and advisers of the funds and
investments associated with the Bertarelli family. The group is active in two areas: life sciences
and asset management, including real estate. Chaired by Ernesto Bertarelli, Waypoint is
headquartered in Geneva, with offices in London, Jersey, Boston and Luxembourg.
www.waypointcapital.net
Gurnet Point Capital
Founded in 2013 by Waypoint and Fereydoun Firouz, Gurnet Point Capital is an investment fund
that enables established healthcare and life science businesses to accelerate growth and
achieve their long-term vision. Its goal is to build successful companies that will be compelling
forces in the future of healthcare. www.gurnetpointcapital.com
Ernesto Bertarelli
Chairman, Waypoint Capital
Ernesto Bertarelli is a Swiss entrepreneur, active in the fields of business, finance, sport and
philanthropy. In 1996 he was appointed CEO of Serono, the biotech firm grown over the course
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PRESS RELEASE
of three generations of his family. Under his leadership, Serono continued its shift in focus from
pharmaceuticals to biotechnology and, during ensuing decade, revenues more than tripled to
reach $2.8 billion in 2006. In 2007, Serono was sold to Merck KGaA of Germany.
Bertarelli graduated from Babson College in 1989 and earned an MBA at Harvard Business
School in 1993. In 2008 he was inducted into Babson College's Academy of Distinguished
Entrepreneurs, and is also a member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows. His
family’s Foundation – active principally in the fields of marine conservation and life sciences – is
a substantial donor to various leading academic institutions in the Boston area.
Christopher A. Viehbacher
Managing Partner, Gurnet Point Capital
Christopher A. Viehbacher is the former CEO of Sanofi. During his six year tenure, Sanofi
completed over $30 billion of acquisitions, including Genzyme. Prior to Sanofi, Viehbacher
spent 20 years with GlaxoSmithKline, ultimately as President of GSK's North American
pharmaceutical division. He was a Member of the Board of Directors of GSK plc and CoPresident of GSK's Portfolio Management Board. Viehbacher began his career with Price
Waterhouse Coopers and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Viehbacher has been Chairman of the Board of the Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), as well as President of the European Federation of
Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. He has received France's highest civilian honor, the
Legion d'Honneur.
CONTACTS
UK: Robin Wrench, Brunswick Group
Email: waypoint@brunswickgroup.com; Tel. +44 (0)20 7404 5959
US: Tom Johnson / Chuck Burgess, Abernathy MacGregor
Email: TBJ@ABMAC.COM / CLB@ABMAC.COM; Tel. +1 212 371 5959
Switzerland: Dr Jörg Neef, Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Conseillers
Tél. : +41 43 344 42 42
www.waypointcapital.net