Samuel D. Waksal

Samuel D. "Sam" Waksal, Ph.D., (born September 8, 1947) is the founder and former CEO of the biopharmaceutical company ImClone Systems. He is also the founder and CEO of Kadmon Pharmaceuticals which was financed with private capital and commenced operations in New York City in 2010. At ImClone, Waksal led the company to develop the landmark cancer drug Erbitux (cetuximab). During the course of its review process with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Waksal became involved in an insider trading scandal revolving around improper communications with personal friends and family members. He was convicted of several securities violations, served time in federal prison, and was released.