Monday, February 9, 2004

Biotech

Bourque plans to step down as CEO of MBC

Janice Bourque, president and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC) has announced plans to leave her current position.

The MBC board has formed a committee to conduct a search for a new leader over the next few months. Bourque will remain with the MBC to assist with the leadership transition. Some sort of continuing role with the MBC is among the many future opportunities she is considering.

"During Janice's 12 years in leadership with the MBC, the organization has grown from 80 biotechnology companies to over 400 member companies that span the biomedical community in Massachusetts," said Cynthia Fisher, chair of the MBC and founder and CEO of BioMed 20/20 Technologies, in a statement. "On behalf of the MBC board of directors, the member companies and affiliates, we thank Janice for her energies, passion and significant contributions to the industry."

"I am leaving with a sense of accomplishment," said Bourque, 47. "The organization is in a strong position, which means it can recruit a strong successor and keep moving forward with its business."

Bourque was the council's first employee when she joined 12 years ago. Today there are 17. There were 80 company members when she started, and now there are 400.

She said she does not have concrete plans for the future.

"I am going to look at a number of options, and then decide," Bourque said. "I've been approached with many ideas and projects, and at the right time I will decide the next step."

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, founded in 1985, is a nonprofit organization that provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry.