Raymond James Financial : expands Life Sciences practice with addition of five senior professionals

July 14, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Raymond James has hired multiple senior Life Sciences Equity Research analysts and a Life Sciences sales specialist, giving the firm a comprehensive team of Life Sciences professionals across its Equity Capital Markets division. Joining the full-service group of investment banking, equity sales and equity capital markets professionals, and their respective roles, are:

• Ren Benjamin, biotechnology analyst
• Chris Raymond, biotechnology analyst
• Laura Chico, senior biotechnology research associate
• Elliot Wilbur, specialty pharmaceuticals analyst
• George Billington, biotechnology and specialty pharmaceuticals sales specialist

"Growth in the Life Sciences sector provides a substantial market opportunity," said Jeff Trocin, president of Global Equities and Investment Banking at Raymond James. "We've built a skilled, seasoned Life Sciences team that can draw on deep industry experience to provide a full range of equity services and solutions for our clients. The addition of this group demonstrates our commitment to being an industry-leading practice."

"The expertise and knowledge of biotech and specialty pharma these four research professionals bring is invaluable," said Bob Anastasi, director of Equity Research at Raymond James. "Ren, Chris, Laura and Elliot will continue the firm's tradition of producing highly regarded, thorough and actionable research that our clients expect. We have worked diligently to build a Life Sciences platform that will emerge among the industry's best. I'm proud of the role our Research group continues to play in the firm's growth."

Expansion into the Life Sciences sector, a key strategic growth initiative for the firm, began in January with the addition of senior investment bankers David Stubbs and David Rappaport. The team grew in March when senior professionals Stuart Barich and Edward Newman joined Investment Banking and Equity Capital Markets, respectively. Several follow-on offerings have already been completed by the team.

Benjamin holds a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular genetics and Wilbur is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Billington, the sales specialist, has spent much of his 15 years in equity capital markets supporting the Life Sciences sector. All three are based in New York City. Raymond has more than 25 years of biotechnology industry experience and Chico, his senior research associate, holds a doctorate in molecular pharmacology. Both are based in Chicago. The Raymond James Life Sciences team has an additional office in San Francisco.