Heiner Dreismann
Heiner Dreismann, PhD is the former President and CEO of Roche Molecular Systems and an active member of the biotechnology industry.
Career
Biotech industry executive, born July 2, 1953 in Rietberg, Germany, Ph.D. in microbiology (summa cum laude) from Westfälische Wilhelms Universität in Münster, Germany (1982). Post-doc stay at the French Atomic Research Center in Saclay (1982). Joint Roehm GmbH in Darmstad in 1983 as a microbiological geneticist. Joint Hoffmann la Roche in 1985 and held various positions including head of diagnostics manufacturing in Grenzach-Wyhlen, head of diagnostics R&D for infectious diaseases in Kaiseraugst, head business unit Microbiology, head business unit PCR Europe, head strategic portfolio planning for Roche Molecular Systems, member of Roche's global Executive Committee for Diagnostics, head of global Business Development for Roche Diagnostics and President and CEO of Roche Molecular Systems (RMS)in Pleasanton, California. His notable accomplishments include:
- Renewal and re-structuring of Roche Molecular Systems' global product portfolio .During his tenure as president, RMS developed several PCR based diagnostic tests e.g. HIV qualitative and quantitative assays, Hepatitis C assays, septicemia and P 450 tests and several more.
- Roche Molecular Systems also developed a diagnostic system, TaqScreen, for use in bloodbanks worldwide in response to the threat of infections of blood donations with viruses. The test entered FDA clinical trials and could detect HIV, HCV and HBV in blood donations possibly ensuring the safety of North American blood banks supplies in the future.[1]
- By his departure in 2006, Roche Molecular Systems had doubled in size. The Molecular Diagnostics business unit grew from $640 million to $1.2 billion.[2]
Dreismann currently serves as interim CEO of Toronto-based GeneNews corporation. Additionally, he serves on the boards of a number of high-technology companies, including Singulex,[3] Myriad Genetics, MedBioGene,[4] Magellan Biosciences[5] et al.
Education
Dreismann has a Master's degree in Biology and a PhD in Microbiology/Molecular Biology (summa cum laude)from Westfälische Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany. He completed Post-Doctoral studies with the French Center for Nuclear Research, Sanclay, France, investigating gram-negative bacteria genetics.[2]