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Management
Board of Advisors
Board of Scientific Advisors
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William L. Smith
William L. Smith was born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. He received his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Lynchburg College and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Smith spent ten years in cardiovascular and seven years in gastrointestinal research at A. H. Robins Company, Inc. prior to joining Syntex Research in February 1988 as Department Head in the Institute of Pharmacology. Subsequently, Dr. Smith became Director of the Institute of Pharmacology. When Syntex reorganized research and development, Dr. Smith was made Vice President of Drug Evaluation and placed in charge of all work from the decision to move a compound into preclinical development through Phase II. Later, Dr. Smith became Vice President and Program Management Director, responsible for all areas of a drug development program. With the acquisition of Syntex by Roche, Dr. Smith decided to accept a position at Chiron Corporation. At Chiron, Dr. Smith was Vice President, Operations, with responsibility for preclinical and clinical development, project management, finance and administration in the Chiron Technologies division. Dr. Smith joined VIVUS, Inc. September 30, 1996, as Vice President, Research and Development. Dr. Smith was responsible for establishing the Research and Development strategy for the company. Dr. Smith joined Roche Laboratories as Director of Medical Science on January 4, 1999. Subsequently he served as ad interim Vice President of Medical Affairs and then Director of Clinical Investigations. Dr. Smith retired from Roche on June 1, 2006.
Research interests have included central mechanisms for regulation of blood pressure, antiarrhythmics, allergy mediators, gastrointestinal motility, novel serotonin receptors, potassium channel gene therapy, sexual dysfunctions and mechanisms of nausea and vomiting. Dr. Smith has published articles in the above areas and holds numerous patents dealing with novel antiarrhythmics, antiallergy compounds, treatment of central nervous system disorders, treatment of sexual dysfunctions, gene therapy and novel serotonin compounds.
Dr. Smith is quite active in community affairs. He has served as both a Boy Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader. Currently he is a Committee member of Troop 730, BSA. He has been awarded the Order of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America and the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America for Distinguished Service to Youth. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jaycees and he has received a Distinguished Service Award from the United Way. Dr. Smith is active in his local church, having held several top lay positions. Dr. Smith is a frequent speaker at schools and is frequently a judge of science fairs.
Dr. Smith is married to Muriel D. Smith and they have four children and eight grandchildren.
John Clay
Mr. Clay, a 1957 graduate of Oxford University, is the Director and Chairman Emeritus of Clay Finlay, Inc. From 1981 until 2000 he was the co-chairman and CIO of that company. He had previously served as Deputy Chairman of Vickers da Costa Ltd (1976-81) and was a Member of the Council of London Stock Exchange. While at Oxford Mr. Clay had first class honors in Sanskrit, Avestan and Old Persian. He was in the RCAF Air Navigation School, Winnipeg; wings 1953 and the St. Paul’s School, London; 1952.
John F. Otto
Mr. Otto is President of the Companion Trading company, Inc. He is a graduate of Pace University and taught science for the New York City Board of Education. He was affiliated with Carriage House Gems, Inc. until 1977 when he started his own company, which specializes in importing gemstones for the jewelry industry.
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