Mr. Laird is trained as a pharmacist and practiced for approximately 10 years before entering the pharmaceutical industry.  Beginning at Baxter Travenol, his career has spanned three additional companies, SmithKline and French, Marion Merrell Dow, and Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals where he has held senior positions in Medical and Regulatory Affairs and clinical research.  During the past 15 years, Mr. Laird has had executive leadership roles at Kendle, International, and PharmaNet LLC, both global CROs, where he headed Global Business Development leading both companies to record revenues during his term.