FormerScienceGuy

Biotech Bailout? Enough Already!

2008-12-18T02:48:00.002-05:00

I'm living in Canada, running a headhunting firm called Cortex Search Inc.. My business revenue is dependent on biotech companies hiring new positions, or filling vacant positions.

Success has come from my business being drawn from small biotech companies, usually less than 100 people, and 99% of the time the companies are funded, but have no revenue. The good companies stay around until there is no chance their product will be a success. Not because they ran out of money, but because their product had no potential to save lives or improve quality of life.

Now, it seems, some of the biotech executives are feeling like the boys from detroit. A biotech bailout was recently proposed.

If ever an industry would understand Darwin, i thought it would be the biotech industry.
Trust me, show investors a drug that helps cancer patients, lowers cholesterol, relieves pain, treats arthritis effectively, etc., there will be investors... Enless their money was with Bernie Madoff.

My country is falling apart. Oh, Canada ;-(

2008-12-02T16:50:00.003-05:00

For those of you that aren't Canadian, but are somewhat alert, i want to let you know that a "political coup" is going on here at the federal level.

Simply go to any of the newspapers like "The National Post" or "The Globe and Mail" and you'll see that the federal government, albeit a minority, is about to be taken over by a coalition of the other parties. Basically, we have four parties; the current "conservative" party (pretty left if you're an american, though) a socialist party (NDP), a Liberal Party, and The Bloc Quebecois (BQ). The BQ party is a separatist party supporting Quebec to separate from Canada, and they are the party holding the democratic rights and privaledges of the other 9 provinces of this country in their hands that are open for federal money, and using that money to promote succession from Canada.

For my American readers, all the parties up here are more like the Democratic party than any resemblance to the Republican Party. Although, that view probably differs the further west you go in Canada.

Another election is not far off in Canada, and that will cost another $300 million dollars, so almost $1billion tax dollars going to elections in Canada; during the worst economic environment in history.

GET BACK TO GOVERNING THE NATION, STOP WASTING OUR MONEY. ALL THE PARTIES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER, AS ALLIES NOT FOES AS JOBS DISSAPPEAR, TAX REVENUE DECREASES, AND COMPANIES CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

I apologize, more stuff relevant to what the nature of this blog should be about tomorrow.

I'm moving to the Antarctic. Oh, wait, I think I read somewhere the ice shelf down there is about to collapse, just like western economies.

I hope the future holds more promise than tomorrow.

BREAKING NEWS: "US IS IN A RECESSION" - oh ya, and Biotech funding down. Go figure.

2008-12-01T15:05:00.004-05:00

I received a newsflash from CNN that the US is in a recession. Isnt that like telling your friend he has a pimple on his face after he's already popped it?

Regardless, a friend of mine keeps forwarding me the doom and gloom of the biotech industry, including an article detailing the fiscal troubles on the horizons.

Read the article here from the Boston Globe called "Biotech Firms cutting back as capital grows scarce"

I thought about the article's content then replied to my friend with the following:

The financing may be down in some areas, true. However, companies with a good drug program in place won't die, as pharma companies are still (at least for now) cash rich and investing in smaller biotechs or buying them. Companies with shit drugs, ideas or products will die, and allow better new drugs and products to flow. The university is a strong place where drugs get discovered.

Let's hope academic research funding doesn't get slashed too much as tax revenue dwindles, and nation deficits and debt rise, that would put a huge black hole into innovative drug and diagnostic discovery. A perfect example of this is: "Stem Cell spin-offs merge with $18MM in new VC Cash", in an article I saw at www.fiercebioresearcher.com.

Emerging Canadian Companies.

2008-11-28T02:42:00.003-05:00

I'm still busy recruiting a director of radiopharma, and a vp/cso for a diagnostic company. In the meantime, I was surfing around and thought it may be a good idea to show the world, on another platform, that the Canadian biotech industry is alive and well. Okay, it's well. Okay, it's alive.

Check out the page here that is a subpage of www.biotech.ca, that talks about emgerging biotech companies in Canada http://www.biotech.ca/content.php?doc=44&xwm=true.

Some of you out there may find this a bit strange, but a lot of the Canadian companies do have government grants, some don't but many do. The problem is, as you know, few of the investments/grants into these companies don't amount to much. Job creation yes, curing disease, not so much.

I say happy gobble gobble to Americans out there. I also say that I think we should remember that the evil that took place in India this week is a wake-up call for many to tell their loved friends and family about how you feel about them.

Interestingly, an acquaintance of mine from University, was in the hotel that got raided by the terroists. Small world, I know, but simply a reminder of how small the world is. I heard he is back safely in Canada, thankfully. I won't put his email up here without his permission, but I will ask him if i can. His email details the time he went to sleep in his hotel room, to the time he falls asleep on a plane bound back to Canada, with the incredible account of his experience during the terrorist attack.

Interesting blogs, twitter, etc.

2008-11-26T16:15:00.005-05:00

Part of my goal is to eventually get listed as part of the blogs at Biospace.com

Getting on there, I think, may be a great way to promote Cortex, and my business, and just keep getting known in the mainstream biotech world in the US. Traditionally, I have been working with smaller companies, say less than 100 people, without revenues, but in personnel growth phases. More biotech (and pharma) companies might not have me on their radar, so, that's one of my goals using this blog.

I can link up with other blogs for some content, like Sciencebase who has a bit more of a focus on the science side of things.

I am also trying to figure out how to add people to my "following" list at twitter. Can anyone help me out?

note; I figured out the twitter thing. i'll keep you posted.

Time to blog again

2008-11-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

These sure are interesting times. As a sole practioner I am still very busy within the biotechnology industry. Currently, I am working on the following positions:

1. Deputy Director of Raw Materials (Pharma company in Toronto)
2. Vice President/CSO in vitro Diagnostics start-up in Toronto
3. Executive Vice President/CSO of a small molecule drug discovery/development company in the Pacific Northwest
4. Director of Development, Radiopharmaceutical company

Recently, I have closed deals ranging from VP Sales and Marketing, Analytical Chemist, Director Medical Affairs.

I think the biopharma industries are going to be hit, and hit hard in this economy, but drug discovery and the search for scientific pursuits will not stop. Plus, I also have read in a few places and spoken with some experts that suggest the VC money will still be flowing, and the big pharma companies, who are still cash rich (pipeline poor) will seek out smaller start-ups in early development to either partner with or right-out purchase.

I am surprised at how many executives are still willing to relocate, or believe that they can relocate without too much of a loss on their real estate holdings. Yet, I do have a candidate that relocated for a job 8 months ago from Philly to San Francisco and now owns a house she paid over $2million dollars for in Philly, and a house in San Fran worth about the same. She is VERY open to relocating to Canada, perhaps to be a bit of a "mortgage dodger"?? Who knows, but this is definitely an interesting time.

What will happen in the new year is yet to be determined.

As a scientist, NOT a headhunter, I became excited when I saw the following two blogs

1. http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com/ which is a blog about drug discovery and the pharmaceutical industry. Check it out

2. http://www.biojobblog.com/ The name speaks for itself. There are some amazing links, including the "ask the recruiter" section of the site. I strongly encourage everyone to surf over to these to blogs and enrich their brain.

Split Network for the biotech and pharma industry

2008-03-16T22:53:00.003-04:00

Business is pretty good so far this year. I've picked up a couple of new clients, and keep working with existing clients. Jobs range from VP level research and development to Quality Assurance.

The summer is approaching and the golf season here in Canada is only about 6 weeks away (fingers crossed).

Obviously, as a recruiter, I am constantly developing and expanding my network, and my database is broad and spans various levels of expertise in the biopharma industry.

I imagine that other sole practioners, like myself, have money left on the table with candidates that didn't get placed, or jobs not filled because we just can't know everyone. So, I'm putting it out there for search firms out there that want to set-up a formal split network. Trust is going to be a big issue, and to be involved in this platform, everyone accepted to join will have to adhere to maintaining integrity and trust. I believe the industry is small enough to facilitate this.

Therefore, I am asking individuals/corporations/practioners that are interested in being involved in a strictly biopharma split network to contact me by email at: michael@cortexhr.com

Immediately, I am seeking a VP R and D for a company who has expertise in neuroscience (alzheimer's or parkinson's etc). This is for the development of drugs, specifically large molecule drugs.

A book about career opportunities for life scientists

2008-03-07T01:35:00.003-05:00

A while ago i was contacted by Toby Freedman to comment on my expertise as a PhD geneticist that made a transition from bench science into excutive search. The reason she wanted to interview me was for her book "Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development". She covers research paths, business career arcs, and other potential jobs for individuals with a degree in the life sciences.

When I was a graduate student in Vancouver, at UBC, I started a seminar series called "Alternative Careers for Scientists". I brought in scientists turned lawyers, investment bankers, patent agents, etc., to educate graduate students and anyone interested on what kind of career paths are available for individuals that spend their college days in studying the life sciences.

When I started a fellowship at the University of Toronto, again, I engaged a series of external speakers to enlighten Toronto scientists using a similar format to that I employed when at UBC.

At U of T, since I left, every year a new graduate student runs a very successful career day, doing exactly what I did. However, the career day is now bigger, with more speakers, and even external sponsors. Congrats U of T.

Personally, I was very intrigued about Toby's motivation because she also has a PhD and ventured away from bench science into the world of business.

In 1999, after a short post-doctoral fellowship, which I signed up for after my 5 year PhD, i was done with doing molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, etc. One thing happened after another, and Cortex Search Inc. was conceived.

Anyway, if you click on here, you will find some reviews and information about the book. I have had an interaction with Toby for a few years as she was writing her book and embarking on a career in executive search. She is smart, well informed and insightful about the realities of the various career paths available to life scientists.

My company is called "Cortex Search", and the name stems from my neuroscience research background. Toby's search firm is called "Synapsis Search".

I encourage you to learn more about Toby suggest the book for individuals you may know, or for counsellors helping individuals discover their career path inthe biotechnology/pharmaceutical and directly related industries.

Interestingly, spring arrives in just two weeks. But the whack of snow we've reveived here in the Toronto area this winter may make spring appear to arrive a bit late.

Another 15 cm of snow is expected this weekend.

Another shot at blogging

2008-03-06T01:56:00.002-05:00

Im about to embark on another round of blogging.

Things that will be discussed in the near future:

1. A book about careers for those with life sciences degrees
2. Setting up a split network for life science headhunters
3. Recruitingblogs.com
4. What to give to candidates and clients as gifts or BD
5. My life as a recruiter in the biotech space
6. A Canadian buying a car in the USA

Plus a whole lot more

Biotech Recruiting in Canada; Possibly looking to expand to USA??

2007-06-26T01:00:00.000-04:00

What a strange year for Cortex Search Inc.

From December 2006-April 2007 it seemed like a serious rut had bubbled up. But the term "feast or famine" couldn't be more true for the "FormerScienceGuy". Since April 1st, 10 (ten) deals have closed, a close to record first quarter, and a sweet second quarter is brewing.

I implemented a $5000 engagement fee and this has been met with little hesitation from new clients. This engagement fee puts a bit more onus on the client to be responsive, engaging, and committed to work diligently on the process. I thought $10K was stepping more into the "retained" model, a business practise I'm not interested in.

This year has seen me acquire three new clients, two referral based, and one gained from attending a conference "biofinance", here in Toronto.

Now that I see some stability and a bit more of a confident market, coupled with a strong track record here in Canada, I am contemplating expanding my model, expertise and network throughout the US.

I am torn between setting up a number of formal networks in the US, or actually bringing on regional consultants to be part of Cortex Search.

Things I bring to the table:

PhD in Genetics
Running Cortex for 9 years
Applicant Tracking System
Record of Success in recruiting junior to C-level candidates

Things I am looking for in a network or new consultant:

Experience recruiting in the biotech/pharma industry for at least two years
Understanding of how to deal with scientists and executives
Independent work philosophy
Strong communicator
Ability to manage both candidate and client
An advanced degree in life sciences

Touch base with me

Spring Time, Biotech in Canada, Ovarian Cancer

2007-04-28T01:05:00.000-04:00

Over the past two months, I've been away from writing on the blog. Really, no excuse, just lazyiness, but also really focused on Cortex business development, closing some deals, etc.

Funny thing, as the first quarter of this year was slow, and now it's spring time, golf season is staring me in the face. I'm looking forward to that. From a business side of things, this past quarter has been interesting, none the less. There's been lots of entry level stuff to do, to start working with some new clients and build some position for bigger and better positions. Being back on track is a good feeling.

I recently attended two events in Canada. One was a dinner for the British Columbia Life Sciences industry (www.lifesciencesbc.com) the other was called Biofinance (www.biofinance.ca). Both these were fantastic networking opportunities, and excellent to get caught up on some of the great work being done by early stage companies across this country of mine, Canada. I encourage you to visit both these sites to learn more about the industry up here. Some of these companies are focused on diagnostics, some on therapeutics, some on clinical research.

From a personal side of things, today, I'm going to mention three companies, located in the USA to look at: Sunesis (www.sunesis.com); United Therapeutics (www.unitedtherapeutics.com); and Alza (www.alza.com). These three companies all have therapeutic programs to treat late stage Ovarian Cancer. Why is this so personal to me? A close and personal friend of mine, Elana, is currently battling ovarian cancer. And when I say battling, I mean fighting tooth and nail, from a life perspective, as well as an awareness perspective.

In this light, if anyone in the biotech or pharmaceutical industries needs a personal perspective, or an insight into the importance behind the research and basic or clinical development of therapeutics to diagnose or treat ovarian cancer, I encourage you to watch the video of a speech Elana gave at a lunch by the Israel Cancer Research Fund (http://www.icrfonline.org) where she was recently honoured.

Please click here to watch the video.

And please leave your comments on my blog after, so I can pass them on to my amazing friend. And if you're in the biotech and or pharmacuetical industry, also feel free to leave a message indicating your point of view.

I'll write soon.

FINALLY BACK UP

2007-02-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

Getting this blog back up has been a real pain in the you know what.
Sorry about the delay.

Okay. It seems as though this formerscienceguy is busy as stink again. Clients in the following geographical areas are hiring like crazy:

Sherbrooke, Quebec
Vancouver, BC
San Francisco, California
Toronto, Ontario
Montreal Quebec

The diverse areas ain't so diverse, but a trend is quite apparent. Toxicology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, clinical research, quality assurance, all at a nice "headhunter" level, meaning jobs paying 100K or more.
The bizarre thing is that in the past month four new jobs, exactly the same, have come in, all for formulation development, for someone that understands CMC regulatory filing. I don't think I've seen that happen before. It's nice, as there are a few candidates to spread around.

I have not had a good chance to update my active jobs part of my www.cortexhr.com website, but I'll try tonight or tomorrow.

It was a strange year, from a billing point of view for me, I had two quarters where I billed quite a bit, and two quaters with zippo (that's canadian for nothing).

I am always open to doing split fees, so if you're a headhunter in the biotech industry, get in touch with me and we'll set-up a relationship.

I am also going to see if I can set-up a forum, and see what kind of response I get out there. I'll post tomorrow what the address is, and have a link to it as well.

TT

Again the Canadian Biotech Industry Shines

2007-01-17T20:39:00.000-05:00

Well it seems as though the Canadian Biotech Industry is full steam ahead...

Cytochroma just raised $21MM, and you can see the story here. Cytochroma is a biotech company in Toronto, that, like many others around the globe, have seen it's ups and downs.

Even more intriguing is a company in Ottawa, Variation Biotechnologies, that raised over $35MM USD. You can see the story here.

It seems the niche I picked when I started Cortex after my science life is still humming along in the biotech industry, well, at least the smallish companies. My bread and butter has come from companies less than 150 people. I generate quite a bit of money in split fees, and still quite a bit more from single fee placements.

I'll elaborate on other companies in the weeks to come.

TTL

Okay - Im back, but away again

2007-01-16T22:57:00.000-05:00

It's been a long month with severe computer ups and downs, mostly downs.
Im back to blogging, however, I'm away from civilization starting saturday for one week, but I will be more diligent upon my return.

The recruiting world has picked up for me quite a bit in the past few weeks, and I thought I would list the jobs I am more than willing to do split fees on here, and see who comes a knocking:

Microarray Product Development Scientist
Director Bioinformatics
Director Microarray Product Development
Director Analytical Chemistry
Director Pharmacology

Or, if you're in the field of bioinformatics/microarray analysis with nucleic acid experience, get in touch with me at michael@cortexhr.com

So, as you can see, I've been busy drumming up business again. Sure, the microarray company is in Toronto, but heck, it is the 5th largest city in North America, all we're missing is an NFL team, and to be honest, not many of these types are huge NFL fans anyway.

Surf over to www.toronto.com to see what moves and shakes here in Toronto.

I'm also starting to use linkedin more and more, so be sure to invite me to your network as well!

www.formerscienceguy.com

2006-12-15T00:22:00.000-05:00

I registered www.formerscienceguy.com and have a link here from my Cortex Search Inc. website. Let me know if it stands out enough. I apologize for not posting in two days, my Sony Vaio went on the fritz, and my other computers are dedicated to other functions. Im 90 % running again.

It seems awfully quiet out there, in the recruiting world. That's okay, I'm getting solice in the fact that our great country, Canada, has now allowed "the use of medical marijuana to two Toronto professors, the right to something that many students could only dream of -- access to specially ventilated rooms where they can indulge in peace." I guess this story from the University of Toronto's ,The Varsity summarizes one of the individuals, truly isolated in the Ivory Tower. Which now leads me to another company "only in Canada", which is Cannasat.

If you surf over to Cannasat and look at their news section, there is little on the science at Cannasat, lots of financials and advocate articles. Although, there is tons of evidence that THC does help chemotherapy patients, glaucoma sufferers, and pass the time at high school, Im still looking forward to this treatment to becoming more mainstream.

Perhaps, every workplace should have a "joint room" right next to the room where people with delirium tremens can go for a drink.

TT

Starting a Biotech Company;Got an extra $10 Million; Poof, There Goes $20 Billion in Market Cap

2006-12-12T14:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I put out there that I wanted a list of biotech Venture Capital Firms that invest in start-up companies. The reason why I'm asking for your input is that I am helping an individual identify potential companies for which to purchase to help advance their own research.

All this talk about VC investments and biotech companies got my scientific juices flowing again, and two independent emails from two different colleagues involved in the biotech industry asking "when are we going to start a company" really got me excited about doing something different. I think starting in the new year, we're going to investigate this a bit further. So, if you got an extra $10 Million floating around and believe I can eventually help you cure a disease, develop a diagnostic tool, or just plain make you rich, get hold of me!!!

Personally, my scientific background is pretty solid, which would lend to the scientific part of a company in conjuction with my partners, but my ability to find great talent to augment such a company would be really handy...

A friend, Rhonda, started out in the world of Tocows (sp??) during the dot-com boom, and when that bubble burst she decided to go back to the world of biotech, which she studied in university before her MBA. Rhonda, in my opinion, is one of the most incredible networkers I have met. To get the job and make connections with individuals completely outside her employment circle of influence really impressed me. Not to mention she has referred quite a bit of business to me!! Trust me, she'll be the BD person in the new biotech company. I'm taking suggestions for a corporate name!!!

Im in the throws of about 4 or 5 searches right now, all at various stages. Some science positions, some regulatory affairs, some quality assurace. Cruise over to the Cortex Search Inc. website...

At a christmas party this weekend, a client and I were talking, and it came up the Pfizer's new blockbuster drug, torcetrapib, didn't make it through it's most recent clinical trials and resulted in a $20 Billion loss in market cap. I won't get into it, but a company with the hopes of that drug raking in over $4 billion a year staring in 2012, it came as a big blow, especially, with Lipitor coming of patent in 2010, which, by the way, brings in a measly $12 Billion. I won't address it here, but other blogs do, including the Pharma Marketing Blog...

TT

Blogger Speaking, phone deals, biotech deals...

2006-12-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

It was warm here in Toronto this weekend, but a fun one. I am back into learning flight simming with the new MS Flight Simulator X program. Only a couple of crashes, but fun, from a technical point of view.

On Wednesday this week here in Toronto, the Toronto Venture Group is having an interesting speaker come in to speak, his name is Mark Evans.

Mark Evans is vice-president of operations for b5media Inc., which operates the world's 3rd largest blogging network with more than two million unique visitors a month. Before joining b5, Mark was a senior technology reporter with the National Post, as well as co-founder Blanketware Corp. I am very interested in hearing him speak as well.

Someone I know is capable of switching your phone services to a competitor for significant savings. She's here in Canada, but does work all across North America. As a recruiter I know the importance of your phone system, and I know she can help you. I strongly recommend investigating what she can do for your firm. Send her an email with FormerScienceGuy in the subject and she'll get right back to you. You can reac her at sales@maxxglobal.net.

One last thing today is that I am interested in creating a list of VC firms that specialize in investing in early stage biotech companies. Can we start a list and I'll post it here too.

Plus, I want to add this one line of script to see if it helps:

Technorati Profile

TT (till tommorrow)

Two days of blogging, two new contacts!!!

2006-12-08T15:59:00.000-05:00

I started blogging two days ago, and in just this short period of time, I have been contacted by two individuals wanting to establish corporat relationships. If I started this a few years ago, perhaps I'd have a wider network today. No need to dwell, but look forward with a positive attitude.

Some things I see coming from this blog are the potential for new contacts, a way for me to stay updated (more frequently) on the goings-on in the industry - both recruiting and biotech and pharma.

Over the past 5 or 6 years, I have been working with an excellent client, Vasogen Inc. This company has an incredible executive team, strong science, and motivation that doesn't quit. You can check their science, executive team, etc., on their website. I have filled positions from executive, management, to scientific, and over the years have probably placed around 15 or so people there. To date, only 3 or 4 have left for various reasons, but all stayed long enough, so to speak.

Vasogen just raised another $20 MM in cash to continue their operations and ongoing research into both device and drug development, putting Vasogen leaps and bounds above and beyond most other Canadian biotech companies in raising ongoing funds. Vasogen is listed on both NASDAQ and TSX exchnges. I am currently engaged in a couple of searches for Vasogen, and I'll keep you posted.

Wow, $40 Million for Xenon Pharma!!!

2006-12-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

Working for myself, by myself, with just me and Rosie (my chocolate lab) has its ups and downs. August and December are probably the slowest months of the year, but it's fine. Still a couple of deals on the go.

Recruiting in biotech, as far as I can tell, is a bit different from other fields, especially when the head of a biotech company comes from IT and is trying to recruit top talent for top positions. In biotech and drug development, the transferrable skills that someone has would only be apparent to a recruiter that has, say, experience like myself. The biological and biotech research performed by many individuals has a variety of levels of understanding and applications, kinda like a a venn diagram, but enless you know how the two individual areas or functions add up, you would never deduce the overlapping areas. This is a dilemma I'm having with a non-biotech CEO who was incredibly successful in IT, but doesn't have a sniff how to recruit the best leaders to help a start-up biotech company, in my opinion.

Actually, even more interesting today, is that Xenon Pharmaceuticals, in Vancouver, signed a deal with Roche that could bring them $40 Million in various different avenues. Why are they interesting to me, Xenon that is? Xenon was founded by my PhD Supervisor, and a few others from my PhD days in Vancouver at UBC. Other people that I am very close with, are still instrumental in that company, leading either the executive or scientific team. It is kinda cool to see how this company grew from a couple people working in a lab, to a company with its own building, and my friends raising hundreds of millions of dollars over the years for biotech research. Surf over to the Xenon web page and see what kind of cool stuff they're doing here in Canada.

I did place a couple of people at Xenon a few years back, one is still there, the other is pursuing other interests, I believe.

I don't want this to be "another recruiting blog", but a different kind of blog, with a "me" and "biotech" slant (I believe blogging was started by one of the biggest narccicists (sp?) ever.

Hello and the start of a new blog

2006-12-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

This blog is well overdue.

I'll start by saying the reason it is overdue is that I was encouraged to start a blog probably around 2 years ago by Jason Davis, who in my opinion is a proven visionary in the recruiting world. In the past couple of months Jason Davis has introduced me to a number of incredible individuals that I'm sure will come up in my blog over and over as it continues to grow.

In short, I am a "Former Science Guy", coined by Jason. I spent a ton of time in school getting a PhD in genetics, then was a scientist at the University of Toronto. In both positions I focused on understanding and hopefully contributing to curing brain diseases. Subsequently, as a result of many reasons, started Cortex Search Inc. For the past few years, I have been focused on doing search for clients that have less than 200 people. Some are public in the US, Canada or both. Big pharma recruiting just ain't any fun. I work for myself, by myself, out of my house in Toronto. I am neither a "big biller" nor "small biller" in terms production for Cortex Search. I truly enjoy working for myself, right now.

I hope to have a bit of growth in the next couple of years and may even hire one or two individuals to expand my business into the US markets.

This blog will give insight into my day to day stuff, recruiting, science, and other interesting stuff. I will also have links to interesting articles related to biotech/pharma or recrutiing, or both. And I might also throw in a few "off topic links as I get into this more.

For now, this is an intro, and will pick up tomorrow.