Former Genentech executive named P&G board member

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble on Tuesday afternoon named a healthcare veteran to its board. Susan Desmond-Hellmann, 53, chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco, was named to the board, effective Dec. 13.

"[Desmond-Hellmann’s] breadth of experience in the healthcare industry and leadership within the academic community makes her a strong addition to our board," stated Robert McDonald, P&G chairman, president and CEO. "Her track record is outstanding, and her insights and perspectives will be invaluable." UCSF is dedicated to advancing health worldwide through innovative biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care, P&G noted.

Prior to being named chancellor of UCSF, Desmond-Hellmann served as president of product development at Genentech, a position she held from March 2004 through April 30, 2009. In this role, she was responsible for Genentech's preclinical and clinical development, process research and development, business development and product portfolio management. During her 14 years at Genentech, several of the company's patient therapeutics were approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and the company became the nation's No. 1 producer of anti-cancer drug treatments.

For her outstanding contributions in the healthcare industry, Desmond-Hellmann has received numerous recognitions. In October 2010, she was named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Institute of Medicine. In November 2009, Forbes magazine named her as one of the world's seven most "powerful innovators," calling her "a hero to legions of cancer patients." Other recognitions include being named to Fortune magazine's "Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list in 2001 and from 2003 to 2008.