Harlan Sprague Dawley Announces Key Leadership Appointments
2/2/2006
For additional information:
Genstar Capital
Chris Tofalli
(914) 834-4334
ctofalli@gencap.com
INDIANAPOLIS—February 2, 2006—Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc., a leading provider of preclinical research tools and services, today announced the appointments of Stephen J. Sullivan to the position of chief executive officer and John Zabriskie, Ph.D., to the board of directors. This announcement follows private equity firm Genstar Capital’s recent acquisition of a majority interest in the life sciences company. Genstar finalized the acquisition of Harlan December 19, 2005.
Effective February 2, 2006, Sullivan will assume the position of Harlan’s chief executive officer and will join Zabriskie as a member of the company’s board of directors. Harlan’s board will also include Genstar chairman and managing director Jean-Pierre L. Conte; Genstar managing director Robert Weltman; and Hal Harlan, the entrepreneur who has led Harlan since 1961.
“Genstar’s acquisition of Harlan Sprague Dawley reflects our commitment to identifying and investing in companies that are major players in providing the tools and services used in drug discovery,” said Conte. “With proven track records in the life sciences industry, both Stephen and John bring with them significant experience in running global businesses. We are extremely proud and pleased to have such industry leaders driving the future of Harlan.”
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to join Harlan Sprague Dawley for the next phase of business growth,” said Sullivan. “I am also proud to be working in lockstep with Genstar and the Harlan family to ensure the company reaches its fullest potential and continues to provide Harlan’s customers with the highest quality products and services.”
Sullivan has held senior and executive management positions with several organizations in the health and life sciences industry. Most recently, Sullivan was with Covance (NYSE: CVD) as president of Covance Central Laboratories for four years and president of Late Stage Development for three years. Covance is a contract research organization that develops and carries out preclinical and clinical trials of potential commercial drugs. He also served as president, chief executive officer, and chairman of biotechnology company Xenometrix where he led the successful merger between Xenometrix and Discovery Partners International. Prior to Xenometrix, Sullivan held a variety of management positions with Abbott Laboratories. Sullivan received his MBA from Rutgers University and his BA in political science from the University of Dayton.
Zabriskie is the former president and chief executive officer of Pharmacia & Upjohn; the former chairman and chief executive officer of NEN Life Sciences, a Genstar II portfolio company; and a former board member of BioSource, a Genstar II portfolio company. As chairman and chief executive officer of the Upjohn Company, Zabriskie led the Upjohn project, which resulted in the $12 billion merger of equals with Pharmacia.
About Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc.
Founded in 1931, Indiana-based Harlan Sprague Dawley is a privately held global provider of preclinical research tools and services that enable innovative and efficient discovery and development research in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical, industrial chemical and food industries. With its global infrastructure and scientific expertise, Harlan helps its customers increase the speed and effectiveness of their research, while reducing their overall costs.
About Genstar Capital, LLC
Based in San Francisco, Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a private equity investment firm that makes leveraged investments in quality middle-market companies. Genstar Capital works in partnership with management to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. With more than $900 million of committed capital under management and significant experience investing in businesses, Genstar focuses on selected segments of the life sciences, business services, and industrial technology sectors.