Palefsky

Biography

Mr. Palefsky has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, CEO, Board Chair, Director and investor in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, medical device, healthcare and health and wellness industries. He is currently an independent investor and additionally serves as a director and advisor to numerous healthcare companies. Businesses in which Mr. Palefsky played a significant role have achieved in excess of $3 billion of value creation, more than 40 product launches, 20 company formations and numerous private financings, IPOs and M&A transactions. From 2002 to 2015, Mr. Palefsky was a Managing Director at Montreux Equity Partners and was a Venture Partner at Montreux from 1999 to 2002. From 1978 to 1997, he was the Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Collagen Corporation, a pioneer in the aesthetic medicine field, where he also served as an advisor from 1997 to 1999. At Collagen, Mr. Palefsky was brought in as CEO when the company was a pre-revenue start-up. He led Collagen through numerous financings (including its Initial Public Offering), product approvals and worldwide launches, and ultimately to profitability. Earlier, Mr. Palefsky was Vice President of Marketing at the ALZA Pharmaceuticals division of ALZA Corp. (which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson) from 1973 to 1978 and a Marketing Manager at American Home Products (renamed to Wyeth, and subsequently acquired by Pfizer) from 1971 to 1973. Mr. Palefsky served as an officer in the United States Public Health Service from 1967 to 1969. He currently serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of the 21st Century Foundation of the City College of New York, and a Board Member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta History Center. 

Research Interest

independent investor