2006 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE’S DAVID AWARD HONOREE.

COLIN GODDARD, Ph.D.

CEO, OSI Pharmaceuticals

Trained as a cancer pharmacologist in
Birmingham, England, Dr. Colin Goddard
received his Ph.D. from the University of
Aston in 1985. He and his wife Amanda came to the
United States that same year, just three months after
their marriage, as post doctoral fellows in cancer
therapeutic research at the National Cancer Institute
in Maryland. Goddard’s research included the “src”
gene, furthering the understanding of the genetic
basis of cancer. “It was a terrific educational environment,”
says Goddard, “and I worked with
researchers from all around the world.” He relocated
to Long Island in 1989, taking a job as a scientist at
Oncogene Science, Inc.

Like others who are propelled into a career or profession
because of circumstances, Goddard explains
that he went into cancer research after losing a
friend to a brain tumor. Working as a manager of a
student sports program in York, England, at the
time, he decided to do something more meaningful
with his life and applied to Birmingham. He adds,
“ And cancer became close to a lifelong mission.”

“It’s enormously satisfying to me that we can
make an impact,” remarks Goddard. “Cancer
research is a journey, and although it seems that the
cure is always just around the corner, we must realize
that it’s going to be a battle to be won one step at
a time, and not with some magic bullet that comes
along one day.” He adds that some “fantastic

progress” has been made in the past 10-15 years, “as
we’ve really begun to capitalize on all the new science
that comes out of the genome project and the
molecular biology revolution.” He points out OSI’s
flagship product Tarceva, for example, which is a
new generation drug therapy that targets the cells
that are causing cancer.

When Goddard started at OSI, the publicly traded
company had 35 employees, and he says he was
“ the beneficiary, working in a small company that
was doing a lot of different things. The company
partnered with pharmaceutical houses and was
growing. He advanced through the ranks from scientist
to Program Manager (Drug Discovery) to
Director (Drug Discovery), to Director
(Pharmaceutical Operations), to Vice President
Research Operations, to Executive Vice President/
COO, to President, and in 1998 was named Chief
Executive Officer.

“I’m probably the proverbial jack-of-all-trades,
master-of-none,” claims Goddard with his distinctive
British accent and humor. “But it suited me
well. I loved the challenges and learning experiences.”
Today, OSI employs 750 people in the United
States and the UK.

As CEO, Goddard led the transition of the company
from, what he calls, “just a research bucket shop”
in 2000, focusing on drug discovery, technology and
the development of diagnostic cancer kits. For the

past five or six years, he explains, the company has
focused on oncology efforts and research in the areas
of diabetes and obesity. With the approval of Tarceva
in 2004 for the treatment of lung cancer, Goddard
says “the challenge switched from a development
stage company to one that is a commercially viable.”

“Although R&D is important,” adds Goddard, the
company looked to add another source of revenue,
and acquired Eyetech, bringing in another product,
Macugen®, a therapeutic treatment for macular
degeneration. OSI solidified its base with OSI
Prosidion, its UK subsidiary, which focuses on discovery
and development of diabetes and obesity therapeutic
treatments, forming “a governance structure
around three business units.” Goddard concludes,
“ We started with a small piece of the puzzle, and we
built a full fledged, and what we think, exciting-looking
pharmaceutical company,” and yet, OSI was able
to hang onto its smallness.

“It was a privilege to build a team of really capable
individuals,” says Goddard, “and to operate in an
industry that works in teams.”

“I think it’s very important, too,” Goddard adds,
“ for corporations to be involved in their communities.
It’s very much a symbiotic exchange. We get as
much back as we put in.”

Motivated by his interest in cancer, Goddard is
active in promoting the advancement of cancer treatment
and awareness, science education and the
biotechnology industry. He has supported
CancerCare of Long Island and the American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life. He encourages his employees
to get involved in community service. “It’s good for
team building and the morale of the company,” he
says, “and it raises money for some very important
causes.”

OSI has a proactive community outreach program,
including campus tours of its research building. “It’s
great for kids who are often coming from high
schools where they don’t ever get exposure to world-
class research, equipment and technology,” remarks
Goddard. “Here they see the science in action that
they are hearing and learning about in school.” He
also acknowledges the need to “champion women in
science,” adding that there are “not enough role models
in our school system.”

OSI offers summer internships for high school and
college students, and sponsors internships at
Farmingdale State University. Mentorships often
result from internships, and some students have
worked closely with OSI research team members.
Goddard and his staff also make presentations, attend
forums at universities, and judge science fairs.

Goddard has been a member of the board of directors
of the Long Island Association and has worked
with the industry’s New York Biotechnology
Association. “Philosophically, I view the charity and
science education work as more fulfilling and important,”
comments Goddard, than corporate and industry
involvement. He serves on the board of the
Winston Churchill Foundation, which sponsors
American students studying science at Churchill
College in Cambridge, England, and he personally
sponsors a scholarship.

“I’m very privileged to have had an opportunity to
have a challenging job in something that’s deep rooted
in my personal interest,” says Goddard, who lives
in Kings Park with his wife and three daughters,
Sarah, Katie and Jennifer, who all attend Kings Park
High School. He enjoys sports, particularly soccer
and running, traveling and spending time with his
family.

NETWORKING® January 2006