Nigel Beeley is a biopharma veteran. He spent 25 years in research at such biotechnology companies as Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN), Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA), and Senomyx (SNMX). He had a hand in creating cancer and metabolic disease drugs Mylotarg, Symlin, Byetta, and Lorcaserin. But when he decided to start his own company based on pharmaceutical discoveries, he made a switch to a field many might find surprising: emerging alternative energy.
Beeley is not alone in looking beyond biopharmaceuticals for opportunities in clean tech, an industry comprised of companies focusing on alternative energy, recycling, conservation, and pollution reduction. Much of the growth in clean tech is being fueled by investors, inventors, and entrepreneurs with deep biopharma credentials, underscoring how tightly interwoven these seemingly disconnected industries are. The next great wave of innovation and investment is building just as the once booming biotechnology industry appears to be passing its peak.
Scientists such as Beeley are following the money. Venture capitalists are increasingly stepping up investment in alternative energy technologies at the same time that they deemphasize biopharma and other life-science companies. Scientific and management talent who used to be at the forefront of drug discovery and the biosciences are finding that their skills are in high demand in these new energy companies. Read more...
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