Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Bevers.
Denise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For over 20 years, I worked in the human drug development and medical communications industries, managing dozens of product development programs. While I enjoyed what I was doing and had a successful career, I wanted to do something that also paired with my love for animals and my degree in zoology.
At the same time, my partner, Dr. Richard Chin, who I met when we both worked at Elan Pharmaceuticals, and I were realizing the elevating position of pets in the family. If you look at dogs over the last few decades, for example, they were once kept in the backyard, then moved to the doghouse, to behind a gate in the kitchen, and now over 70% of them sleep in bed with their owners (my household is included in this percentage). In 2017, pet owners in the U.S. spent $69.4 billion on pets (an increase of 68 percent from 2007). And, we spend $700 million a year on Valentine’s Day presents for our pets.
Today, we know there is a critical need, and a willingness to pay, for innovative medicines that will improve our pets’ lives. I was fortunate to be able to leverage my years of experience in drug development and investor relations to co-found KindredBio, a company dedicated to developing cutting-edge therapeutics for cats, dogs, and horses.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fortunately, during my career trajectory in biotech and pharma in California, I did not feel limited by a glass ceiling. It wasn’t until we took our company public that it became quite apparent to me that there were fewer female decision-makers on Wall Street. There were entire days on the IPO roadshow when I would not see a single woman at the table. I have always felt that, regardless of gender, it is critical to know your business and industry better than anyone else in the room.
Our business plan was very strong, and I knew inside-and-out – I did not feel a need to alter my pitch because of my gender. The fact that my passion for animals and KindredBio shines through my pitch, perhaps more because of my delivery as a woman, is only an asset. I am happy to say that, in the nearly five years as a leader of a publicly-held company, I do meet more and more female investors at the table who are decision-makers.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about KindredBio – what should we know?
KindredBio is one of the world’s first biopharmaceutical companies focused on saving and improving the lives of cats, dogs, and horses. Our core strategy is to leverage the billions of dollars that have been invested in human drug development by modifying, improving, and repurposing the most innovative drugs and biologic targets that have proven safe and effective in humans. This allows us to pursue KindredBio’s mission to bring the very best science and medicine to our animal companions.
We have a team of world-class veterinarians, scientists, and operational experts who love animals and want to develop therapeutics that have been appropriately studied and ultimately approved by the FDA for use in cats, dogs, and horses. We recently received FDA approval of Mirataz™ (mirtazapine 2% topical ointment), which is the first and only transdermal medication specifically developed for the management of unintended weight loss in cats. This is the number one reason that cats are brought to the veterinarian and the consequences of not eating and unintended weight loss can often be more serious than the underlying illness or disease.
We also anticipate approval and launch of Zimeta™ (dipyrone injection) for the control of fever in horses soon. It says so much about our team that we have an FDA approved drug and another under review in just over 5 years of founding the company. In addition to those products, we have approximately 20 other product candidates in development for a variety of unmet medical needs. KindredBio believes medications for our companion animals should be made with the same high standards that we are afforded as human beings.
Our facility provides a unique setting for the development and manufacturing of high quality, species-specific veterinary biologics. This focus on high standards and lean manufacturing creates efficiencies that shorten the time to market so our therapies are available sooner with reduced development costs. This all translates to economically feasible products for pet owners.
Additionally, from a business standpoint, it is an exciting model because we are able to develop these products for 1/100 the cost of developing a human drug and will potentially realize revenues that are 1/10 the size of the human market. In the future, we will be helping animals with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders, to name a few.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
There are two influences that have played a big role in my success. The first one is my mom, who didn’t inundate my sister and me with verbal advice as much as she led by example. She taught me to follow my passion, regardless of where society pushed me (or even where she thought I should be heading). As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, I was taught by a phenomenal role model that a woman could be anything she set out to be.
My mom supported my every whim as a child, as long as it was something about which I was passionate. I saw the way she loved teaching and nurturing children with learning challenges, and the fulfillment she received in return, which showed me how to have a rewarding career, driven by passion. Believe it or not, the other influential time in my career was the many years I spent as a waitress. This time I spent with people, from all walks of life, has given me the ability to relate to my team members, influencers in my field, and investors on a very human level.
I learned to appreciate many different personalities and communication styles by waiting tables. And, I received some of the best career advice as a trainee. A senior waitress told me to treat the people in my section as if they were at a dinner party at my house. To this day, I try my best to treat all people with the same kindness and genuine interest as I would if they were a guest in my home.
Contact Info:
- Address: 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 407 San Diego, CA 92108
- Website: www.KindredBio.com
- Phone: (650) 701-7901
- Email: Denise.Bevers@kindredbio.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kindredbio
- Twitter: twitter.com/KindredBio
- Other: LinkedIn: /in/denise-bevers
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