INTERVIEW WITH MARY FISHER
CEO of SkinMedica Inc.
Editor's note: Mary Fisher became the CEO of SkinMedica in April. Rex Bright, the president and CEO of the company since 2001, gave up the day-to-day operation of SkinMedica to Fisher, but has continued on as president of the Carlsbad-based company.
About SkinMedica Inc:
The specialty pharmaceutical company is focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing products that treat dermatologic conditions and diseases and improve the appearance of skin. The company has more than 32 aesthetics products. Its leading aesthetic product line is Tissue Nutrient Solution, or TNS. SkinMedica also has four pharmaceutical products: Desonate, a low-potency topical steroid for the treatment of atopic dermatitis; Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, the only product indicated for the reduction of growth of unwanted facial hair in women; NeoBenzMicro, a line of prescription benzoyl peroxide-based products for the treatment of acne and EpiQuin Micro, which contains hydroquinone to treat hyperpigmentation.
What is your background?
I have more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries managing operations, sales and marketing and corporate development.
What do you bring to SkinMedica as its new CEO?
With great products and a solid management team, the company is very strong. I hope the curiosity and enthusiasm that I bring, along with a fresh perspective, will be energizing to the organization and add value for everyone involved.
When and how was the company established?
When two local biotech veterans, David Hale and Cam Garner, learned that well-known San Diego dermatologist Dr. Richard E. Fitzpatrick had founded a small, promising cosmeceutical firm in Carlsbad and was seeking financing, they were intrigued. After looking into the company, they seized the opportunity to invest. Rex Bright, a longtime friend and business associate of Hale's, joined SkinMedica in late 2001 as president and CEO, and the company was off and running. To pursue strategic growth opportunities over the years, SkinMedica has raised approximately $103 million in six rounds of equity financing.
What sets SkinMedica products apart from the competition? We carry both cosmeceutical (non-prescription) and prescription products. And, our people. We use a term called ETC, which stands for Entrepreneurial Team Culture. We talk about it a lot. Our core values are: highly principled, people-focused, results driven, team oriented and entrepreneurial. We try to live that entrepreneurial team culture in everything we do internally and externally.
How has the company changed over the years?
From our incorporation in May of 1999 through 2003, we grew to 65 employees. Currently, especially with our January purchase of a manufacturing plant in Houston, Texas and multiple sales force expansions, we have about 205 employees and operate our corporate offices out of four different office suites in a Carlsbad business park.
What is the company's philosophy?
Our strategy is to deliver innovative pharmaceutical solutions to improve patient care in dermatology, and to apply science and medicine to the practice of aesthetics skin care. We believe that we can contribute our passion, persistence, honesty and integrity to the clinical conversation regarding skin care and treatment in a way that significantly improves clinical outcomes.
What do you see for the future of SkinMedica?
We have a substantial opportunity for growth based on the business as it has developed so far. Our pharmaceutical and aesthetic products are backed by strong science and solid clinical data. The growth in 2007 was impressive, yielding more than $60 million in revenues.
We have a very strong management team. We have recently expanded the United States sales forces, acquired manufacturing staff and capabilities and significantly expanded our international presence through distribution partnerships.
We will continue to license and acquire new technologies. I look forward to working with the team to grow SkinMedica into a major dermatology and skincare company worldwide.
What advice do you have for women climbing the executive ladder?
My advice for anyone who wants to do more of anything is to be curious, listen and learn, then step right outside of your comfort zone. Manage risks, but take them.
SkinMedica
5909 Sea Lion Place, Ste. H, Carlsbad
(760) 448-3600
www.skinmedica.com
CEO of SkinMedica Inc.
Editor's note: Mary Fisher became the CEO of SkinMedica in April. Rex Bright, the president and CEO of the company since 2001, gave up the day-to-day operation of SkinMedica to Fisher, but has continued on as president of the Carlsbad-based company.
About SkinMedica Inc:
The specialty pharmaceutical company is focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing products that treat dermatologic conditions and diseases and improve the appearance of skin. The company has more than 32 aesthetics products. Its leading aesthetic product line is Tissue Nutrient Solution, or TNS. SkinMedica also has four pharmaceutical products: Desonate, a low-potency topical steroid for the treatment of atopic dermatitis; Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, the only product indicated for the reduction of growth of unwanted facial hair in women; NeoBenzMicro, a line of prescription benzoyl peroxide-based products for the treatment of acne and EpiQuin Micro, which contains hydroquinone to treat hyperpigmentation.
What is your background?
I have more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries managing operations, sales and marketing and corporate development.
What do you bring to SkinMedica as its new CEO?
With great products and a solid management team, the company is very strong. I hope the curiosity and enthusiasm that I bring, along with a fresh perspective, will be energizing to the organization and add value for everyone involved.
When and how was the company established?
When two local biotech veterans, David Hale and Cam Garner, learned that well-known San Diego dermatologist Dr. Richard E. Fitzpatrick had founded a small, promising cosmeceutical firm in Carlsbad and was seeking financing, they were intrigued. After looking into the company, they seized the opportunity to invest. Rex Bright, a longtime friend and business associate of Hale's, joined SkinMedica in late 2001 as president and CEO, and the company was off and running. To pursue strategic growth opportunities over the years, SkinMedica has raised approximately $103 million in six rounds of equity financing.
What sets SkinMedica products apart from the competition? We carry both cosmeceutical (non-prescription) and prescription products. And, our people. We use a term called ETC, which stands for Entrepreneurial Team Culture. We talk about it a lot. Our core values are: highly principled, people-focused, results driven, team oriented and entrepreneurial. We try to live that entrepreneurial team culture in everything we do internally and externally.
How has the company changed over the years?
From our incorporation in May of 1999 through 2003, we grew to 65 employees. Currently, especially with our January purchase of a manufacturing plant in Houston, Texas and multiple sales force expansions, we have about 205 employees and operate our corporate offices out of four different office suites in a Carlsbad business park.
What is the company's philosophy?
Our strategy is to deliver innovative pharmaceutical solutions to improve patient care in dermatology, and to apply science and medicine to the practice of aesthetics skin care. We believe that we can contribute our passion, persistence, honesty and integrity to the clinical conversation regarding skin care and treatment in a way that significantly improves clinical outcomes.
What do you see for the future of SkinMedica?
We have a substantial opportunity for growth based on the business as it has developed so far. Our pharmaceutical and aesthetic products are backed by strong science and solid clinical data. The growth in 2007 was impressive, yielding more than $60 million in revenues.
We have a very strong management team. We have recently expanded the United States sales forces, acquired manufacturing staff and capabilities and significantly expanded our international presence through distribution partnerships.
We will continue to license and acquire new technologies. I look forward to working with the team to grow SkinMedica into a major dermatology and skincare company worldwide.
What advice do you have for women climbing the executive ladder?
My advice for anyone who wants to do more of anything is to be curious, listen and learn, then step right outside of your comfort zone. Manage risks, but take them.
SkinMedica
5909 Sea Lion Place, Ste. H, Carlsbad
(760) 448-3600
www.skinmedica.com