Life after Genentech: Kirk Raab re-engineers career as biotech mentor

July 11, 2008

The rehabilitation of Kirk Raab is complete.
Deposed as CEO of biotech giant Genentech Inc. in a conflict-of-interest affair more than a dozen years ago, Raab now is active in a handful of young, private biotech companies. He is a consultant, a been-there, done-that chairman or fill-in CEO. But mostly he's a mentor for the next generation of biotech executives.
"I help CEOs have less scar tissue than I do," he said.
Along the way, Raab has helped shape biotech success stories like Connetics Corp., the Palo Alto dermatology company that sold for $930 million in 2006, and up-and-coming ventures like sleep drug developer Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Point Richmond and East Coast hair regrowth startup Follica Inc.
He's been involved with more than 14 small biotech companies in all -- often in unpaid capacities. That's a long way from Raab's Genentech days.
The bottom line of bringing Raab on board is clear for young companies looking to make good impressions on would-be investors: Kirk Raab's name packs a punch and his connections open doors.
"He adds weight and credibility," said Chris Ehrlich, a partner at InterWest Partners and an investor in Transcept and Follica. "And when you go into discussions with larger companies, it's good to have him on your side."