Entrepreneur Of The Year

A different approach

Back in 1999, the pharmaceutical industry was growing very quickly, but it was also causing large pharmaceutical companies to consolidate and focus on the highest-selling drugs. This resulted in a declined interest in smaller-volume products and market segments. A.J. Kazimi saw this trend and believed that by focusing on these smaller products and segments that he could create a pharmaceutical company able to grow and thrive. With that, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. was born.

Since its inception, Kazimi has funded the acquisition and development of Cumberland’s product portfolio with limited external investment. He’s also maintained profitable operations for the last five years.

This chairman and CEO is also the driving force behind Cumberland Emerging Technologies (CET), which assists universities and early-stage life sciences companies in developing biopharmaceutical products and bringing them to market. The subsidiary collaborates with research institutions, such as Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee and the University of Mississippi, to further promising research, and the resulting product licenses provide an early-stage pipeline for the company as a whole. Additionally, CET provides laboratory space and support for smaller life sciences firms through the CET Life Sciences Center.

Kazimi plans to grow Cumberland by leveraging existing capabilities through portfolio expansion. As part of his expansion strategy, he wants to pursue new indications of existing products, identify additional late-stage product candidates that address unmet medical needs and acquire underpromoted, FDA-approved brands with competitive profiles.

How to reach: Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., (877) 484-2700 or www.cumberlandpharma.com