Early Life and Education
Wayne Rothbaum, currently 57 years old, was born in the United States and holds a Master of Arts from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton. While he initially considered a career in the CIA, he later transitioned into finance in the early 1990s. Rothbaum entered the finance sector and worked at The Carson Group, a small consulting firm that advised biotech companies and investors. He quickly developed a deep understanding of biology, molecular medicine, and the complexities of clinical trials, which laid the foundation for his future success in biotech investing.
Rise to Success
Rothbaum founded the investment firm Quogue Capital in 2001, utilizing his own funds to invest. In 2012, Rothbaum co-founded and became the largest investor in Acerta Pharma, a cancer drug developer. The company's lead drug, Calquence, was approved to treat forms of lymphoma and leukemia. This investment proved highly successful when AstraZeneca acquired 55% of Acerta Pharma for $4 billion in 2016, with an agreement to acquire the remainder for nearly $2.5 billion paid between 2022 and 2024. Rothbaum has also taken a leadership role in transforming Iovance, restructuring and reorganizing its Board of Directors, senior management and overall clinical operations and strategy.
Key Business Strategies
Rothbaum's investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting innovative biotechnology companies, particularly those developing cancer therapies. He often takes an active role in the companies he invests in, providing strategic guidance and leveraging his deep understanding of the scientific and business aspects of the industry. Rothbaum's ability to recognize the potential of early-stage companies and his commitment to developing valuable medicines for patients have been key to his success.
Philanthropy
Wayne Rothbaum has demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy through substantial donations to SUNY Binghamton for a sports complex and scholarships, as well as to Ohio State University for building housing for cancer patients.
