BIO – John L. LaMattina, Ph.D

John L. LaMattina, Ph.D Dr. John L. LaMattina is the former Senior Vice President, Pfizer Inc and President, Pfizer Global Research and Development.  In this role, Dr. LaMattina oversaw the drug discovery and development efforts of over 12,000 colleagues in the United States, Europe and Asia.  He retired from this position in December, 2007. Dr. LaMattina was a 30 year veteran of Pfizer Inc having joined as a medicinal chemist in 1977.   Over the years, he held positions of increasing responsibility for Pfizer Central Research, including Vice President of US Discovery Operations in 1993, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Discovery Operations in 1998 and Senior Vice President of Worldwide Development in 1999. Dr. LaMattina graduated cum laude from Boston College in 1971 with a B.S. in Chemistry.  He attended the University of New Hampshire working with Professor Robert E. Lyle and received a Ph.D. from UNH in Organic Chemistry in 1975.  He then moved on to Princeton University as a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor E. C. Taylor. At Pfizer Dr. LaMattina’s research involved seeking new therapeutic agents for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and also asthma.  He is the author of numerous scientific publications and U.S. patents.  In addition, he is the author of “Drug Truths:  Dispelling the Myths About Pharma R&D”.  Dr. LaMattina received the 1998 Boston College Alumni Award of Excellence in Science and the 2004 American Diabetes Association Award for Leadership and Commitment in the Fight Against Diabetes.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2007.  During this same year he was the recipient of the Just One Break, Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award and the Legal Momentum Equal Opportunity Award. Dr. LaMattina serves on the Board of Directors of Neurogen and Human Genome Sciences and serves as Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Committee for Bilcare.  He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Boston College. Dr. LaMattina lives in Stonington, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary.  They have three children.  He has had a long history of community activities having served as President of the Ledyard Soccer Club, having previously served as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Science Center of Eastern Connecticut, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Summer Music.  He currently is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.

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