Canaccord Genuity is bolstering its U.S. equity research team in the healthcare sector with the addition of an analyst to its life sciences practice.

The firm announced that Dr. Marko Kozul is joining its equity research team as a managing director covering biotechnology companies. Kozul will focus on companies with advanced biotech platforms in neurology, immunology, obesity, oncology, and orphan infectious diseases, it says. He will be based in San Francisco.

Canaccord says that its global equity research team now includes nine senior healthcare analysts across three continents, covering biotech, specialty pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical diagnostics, life sciences and healthcare services.

“The addition of Dr. Marko Kozul complements our existing global coverage of the healthcare sector and affirms our commitment to providing clients with high quality, independent equity research coverage in dynamic growth sectors,” said Dan Daviau, president of Canaccord Genuity Inc. (US). “In addition to an established track record in equity research, Marko brings deep clinical and advisory experience to his role, which gives him an advanced understanding of the industry drivers impacting his coverage universe.”

Kozul was previously senior biotech analyst at Leerink Partners, and before that worked as an analyst at ThinkEquity Partners and Jefferies & Company. Prior to entering the investment business, he was research director for Variant Medical Consulting Group, and was a consultant for the Medical & Referral Source Inc. He has a B.Sc. in cellular & molecular biology from the University of Michigan and an M.D. from the International University of the Health Sciences.