Business & Tech

Connect's Duane Roth Reportedly In Coma After Bicycle Accident

Duane Roth, CEO of Connect, is being treated at a UC San Diego hospital for a head injury.

Duane Roth, head of Connect in La Jolla, was reportedly in an medically induced coma on Monday after a serious bicycle accident the day before. 

Paul Laikind, president and CEO of ViaCyte Inc. and chair of Connect's Foundation, confirmed the accident on Monday.

The Daily Transcript said UCSD would not comment on Roth's condition, but added that he was reportedly in a medically induced coma.

Connect reported that "to ensure that Connect has strong leadership support during Duane's recovery" the executive committee met Monday afternoon to appoint Tyler Orion, past Connect COO, as interim president.

"Our thoughts are with Duane and his family during this trying time," said Laikind. "I am confident that the entire San Diego business and civic community joins me in wishing him a speedy and complete recovery."

According to Connect's website, Roth founded Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., where he served as CEO and Chairman of the Board for more than 25 years. Prior to Alliance, he held senior management positions at Johnson & Johnson and American Home Products (now Pfizer). He has also served as a member of the board of directors and executive committees of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the California Healthcare Institute and BIOCOM.


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