Mr. Coughlin joined the Board of Directors in July 2014, having served as a member of the Board of Directors of Forest beginning 2011, and began serving as our Lead Independent Director in October 2016. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tyco International from 2005 to 2010. During his tenure, he played a central role in the separation of Tyco into five independent, public companies Mr. Coughlin served as Senior Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors of Tyco until September 2012. Prior to joining Tyco, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer of the Interpublic Group of Companies from June 2003 to December 2004, as Chief Financial Officer from August 2003 to June 2004 and as a director from July 2003 to July 2004. Previously, Mr. Coughlin was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pharmacia Corporation from 1998 until its acquisition by Pfizer in 2003. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President of Nabisco Holdings and President of Nabisco International.

 His research interest includes His research interest include drug discovery, development and commercialisation of proprietary probiotic and pharmabiotic treatments for gastrointestinal disorders and other inflammatory conditions