NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jul 17, 2015) - Mizuho Securities USA (MSUSA), the U.S. investment banking subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group (
"Irina comes to us with extensive pharma expertise, both as an analyst and gained directly in the industry. She is indicative of the caliber of senior talent we have added as we continue to expand our US Equity Research team," Koudounis said. "We are building a premier US equity research franchise that is a leader in original, value-added investment ideas and analysis. We are very pleased to welcome Irina to the firm."
Koffler joins MSUSA from Cantor Fitzgerald, where she was managing director and senior research analyst in specialty pharmaceuticals. Previously, she was a senior vice president and senior research analyst for specialty pharmaceuticals at Duncan-Williams, and an associate analyst covering specialty and large cap pharmaceuticals at UBS.
Koffler began her career in the healthcare sector. Prior to UBS, she served as a clinical trial manager and then product manager at Forest Laboratories, Inc. She also held clinical research positions with pharma and biotech companies including Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc., Bio-Reg Associates, Inc. and Scirex Corporation.
Koffler holds a BS in biology from Cornell University and an MS in epidemiology and preventive medicine from the University of Maryland. She earned her MBA at New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business.
"Irina's experience and depth of industry knowledge will enhance our equity research presence in the US and complement our global research product. She will be an invaluable addition to the firm," said Matthew DeSalvo, Executive Managing Director and Head of MSUSA's Equity Division.
About Mizuho Securities USA
Mizuho Securities USA Inc. is a U.S. registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hoboken (NJ), Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London (UK). MSUSA provides a wide range of fixed income and equity securities products and investment banking services to institutional clients. MSUSA is one of only 22 firms designated as a Primary Dealer in U.S. Government and Agency securities. MSUSA also is a U.S. registered futures commission merchant ("FCM") and a member of most international futures exchanges. MSUSA's parent company, Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., is a top-tier, full-service, Japanese securities firm and a core member of the Mizuho Financial Group. http://www.mizuhosecurities.com
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (