Pharmaceutical POOL
Kurt HARTMAN
Dr. Craig HOPKINSON
New Hires at Eisai
Eisai Inc., a U.S. pharmaceuti cal subsidiary of Japan’s Eisai Co. Ltd., has appointed Kurt Hart man, J.D., senior director of value and access, with responsibility for integrating and aligning Eisai’s focus on reimbursement support services, as well as pricing and contracting strategy. Previ ously, Mr. Hartman served as director of patient reimbursement support and assistance at Roche Laboratories. He holds a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law. In other moves, Craig Hopkinson, M.D., has joined Eisai as VP of medical affairs, oncol ogy and institutional care. He serves as senior medical leader and ensures alignment of all medical strategy for the product portfolio of the oncology and institutional care business unit. Most recently, Dr. Hopkinson was VP, global medical affairs, for Elan Pharmaceuti cals. He received an M.D. from the University of the Free State in South Africa. Biotechnology POOL Dr. Nancy BOMAN Acucela Taps Regulatory Affairs VP Acucela, a biotechnology company devel oping innovative therapies for blinding eye diseases, has hired industry veteran Nancy Boman, M.D., Ph.D., as VP of clinical devel opment and regulatory affairs. During her two decades of regulatory affairs experience, Dr. Boman has filed clinicaltrial applications in the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia, and Peru. Her most recent role was overseeing clinical development and regulatory affairs for Cell Therapeutics. Dr. Boman received an M.D. and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Anthony CAGGIANO Acorda Promotes Preclinical DevelopmentVP Acorda Therapeutics, a biotechnology company develop ing therapies for spinalcord injury, multiple sclerosis, and related nervous system disorders, has promoted Anthony Caggiano, M.D., Ph.D., to VP, preclinical development. Dr. Caggiano joined Acorda in 2001 as a lab scientist. He continues to man age the preclinical and research and develop ment departments at Acorda. He received an M.D. and a Ph.D. in neurobiology from the University of Chicago. Specialty POOL Dr. Bhaskar CHAUDHURI Valeant Taps Former Dow Pharmaceutical CEO as President Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has appointed Dr. Bhaskar Chaudhuri as presi dent, with responsibility for overseeing the Dow Services business, corporate business development activities, and the branded generics operations in Mexico and Poland. Dr. Chaudhuri served as president and CEO of Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences before its acquisition by Valeant at the end of 2008. He holds an M.S. in industrial pharmacy and a doctor ate in physical pharmacy. Valeant is a multinational specialty phar maceutical company. Maxwell LEA III DFB Pharmaceuticals Promotes Business DevelopmentVP DFB Pharmaceuticals has promoted Maxwell Lea III to VP, business development and corpo rate finance. Mr. Lea joined DFB in 2002 and was most recently director of corporate develop ment and finance for the company. DFB Pharmaceuticals is a privately held company that provides technologydriven pharmaceutical products, outsourcing services, and licensing opportunities through its affili ate partners. Device/Diagnostic POOL Dr. Grady BARNES Fujirebio Diagnostics Names Chief Scientific Officer Fujirebio Diagnostics, a can cer diagnostics company and industry leader in cancer biomarker assays, has appointed Grady Barnes, Ph.D., as chief sci entific officer. Dr. Barnes was most recently VP of research and development at Meridian Bioscience. He is responsible for all scientific affairs, including research and development, product development, process engineering, and clinical and regulatory affairs. He received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Florida State University. Discovery POOL Dr. Philip JOCHELSON Jason LEVIN BrainCells Strengthens Leadership Team BrainCells (BCI), a company focused on researching neurogenesis using its technology to identify novel pathways for the treatment of neurologic conditions, has named Philip TALENT POOL EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY program manager for SafeBio Pharma Association, a nonprofit organization. In this newly created position, Mr. Wilson’s primary responsi bility is to help prospective and existing association members plan and imple ment digital identity and signature projects using the SafeBioPharma digital standard. He also is involved in managing a variety of services and procedures for the association. Mr. Wilson has extensive IT project man agement experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, most recently as project manager and validation consultant for EMCConsulting Ser vices and for Omicron Consulting. He holds an MBA in finance from Pace University. Agency POOL Alexandra BENEVILLE RTCRM Promotes VP’s Responsibilities RTC Relationship Marketing (RTCRM) has promoted Alexan dra Beneville to senior VP, group account director. Her client portfolio includes BristolMyers Squibb, MedIm mune, and Novo Nordisk. Ms. Beneville received an MBA with spe cialization in marketing and international business from the University of Chicago. Trudy CHIAVELLI Keith CROES Tara HECKMANMILLER Carolyn IGNOMIRELLO Parker JONES Brenda REBILAS Dana REGAN Joanne WAY Staff Changes at Solara Solara, a CommonHealth business unit, has announced one promotion and several new hires. Trudy Chiavelli has been promoted to senior account executive from traffic manager. Solara has appointed Keith Croes editorial manager. Most recently, Mr. Croes was director of scientific services at The Selva Group. Tara HeckmanMiller has joined as a senior account executive. Ms. HeckmanMiller was Jochelson, M.D., chief medical officer. Dr. Jochelson was most recently senior VP of development and chief medical officer at Somaxon. He graduated from medical school in South Africa and is a licensed physician in California. Jason Levin has joined BCI as chief business officer responsible for all strategic development activities, including licensing, acquisitions, and partnering. Previously, Mr. Levin served as VP of corporate development at Jazz Pharma ceuticals. He received an MBA from the Uni versity of Texas’ McCombs Graduate School of Business. Emerging POOL Dr. Ronald NEWBOLD Dr.Tadimeti RAO Dr. Andreas SOMMER Auspex Pharmaceuticals Expands ManagementTeam Auspex Pharmaceuticals, a developer of nextgeneration medicines in the targeted application of deuterium chemistry, has announced three key management hires. Auspex has appointed Ronald Newbold, Ph.D., as chief business officer. Most recently, he was senior VP of business develop ment at Celldex Therapeutics. Dr. Newbold received an MBA from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Rochester. Tadimeti Rao, Ph.D., has joined Auspex as VP, preclinical development. Dr. Rao was direc tor of pharmacology and preclinical develop ment for Kalypsys. A registered pharmacist, he holds a Ph.D. in neurochemistrypharmaceuti cal sciences from the University of Alberta. Andreas Sommer, Ph.D., has been named VP, operations. He received a Ph.D. in microbi ology from the University of California, Davis. Association POOL Gary WILSON SafeBioPharma Appoints Technical Program Manager Gary Wilson has been named technical TALENT pool AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan has been elected board chairman of the nonprofit industry advocacy group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), succeeding Merck CEO and President Richard Clark. Mr. Brennan, who began his career in 1975 as a sales represen tative at Merck, joined AstraMer ck in 1992 to help build the joint venture into a multibillion dollar business in the United States. He has served as CEO of AstraZeneca since January 2006. “The pharmaceutical industry is uniquely poised to be both a source of innovative medicines and a trusted member of the healthcare community,” Mr. Brennan says “American pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers can play a critical role in advancing health solutions that build on the strengths of the U.S. health care system and address its weaknesses.” In other moves, PhRMA also has elect ed Pfizer Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Kindler as chairmanelect of the PhRMA board of directors, and David Norton, com pany group chairman, worldwide commer cial and operations, for the Johnson & John son pharmaceuticals group, as board treasurer. Mr. Kindler was named Pfizer’s CEO in July 2006 and has served as chairman of the company’s board since December 2006. “For the first time in decades, there is broad agreement across the political spec trum and the private sector on the need for health reform and on the urgency to act,” Mr. Kindler says. “Today, we see broad support for an approach that includes both the private and the public sectors to improve healthcare coverage, quality, and affordability.” PHRMA ELECTS NEW BOARD OFFICERS David Brennan (top) has been elected chairman, and David Norton has been elected treasurer of PhRMA. previously a consultant for THM Consultants. Carolyn Ignomirello has been named a group copy supervisor. Ms. Ignomirello most recently served as a copy supervisor at Natrel Communications. Solara has appointed Parker Jones as an account supervisor. Mr. Jones was previously a senior account executive at Sudler & Hennessey. Brenda Rebilas has joined Solara from sister Common Health agency Carbon as a VP, associate creative director. Ms. Rebilas has been with Common Health for 11 years. Dana Regan has rejoined the CommonHealth organization as a senior VP, managing director, at Solara. Ms. Regan most recently was senior VP, manag ing director, for Torre Lazur. Joanne Way has been appointed a senior VP, managing director, charged with acquiring new business. Ms. Way was director of managed markets at Beacon Healthcare Communica tions. Seleen COLLINS James DONOVAN Mark GORMLEY Angela LONG Todd MILLER GSWUnveils Staff Additions Healthcare advertising agen cy GSW Worldwide, an inVen tiv Health company, has made a number of additions to its staff. Seleen Collins has been appointed senior editor. Previ ously, Ms. Collins was self employed and served as a writer and editorial consultant. James Donovan has joined GSW as digital art director from Ologie, where he was senior multimedia designer. Mark Gormley has been named senior brand designer. Before joining GSW, he served as art director for Salvato Coe & Gabor. Angela Long has joined as VP, senior planner, from Jack Morton Worldwide, where she was director, brand research and insights. Ms. Long holds a master’s degree from Boston University. Todd Miller has been appointed senior art director. Mr. Miller most recently served as senior creative for M&C Saatchi. Marian CUTLER Makovsky Expands Health Practice Team Veteran healthcare specialist Marian Cutler has joined independent global public relations and investor relations consultancy Makovsky + Company as senior VP in its health practice. Ms. Cutler most recently served as senior VP for BMC Communications. Mary DOHERTY Steve WRIGHT Intouch Makes NewAppointments Intouch Solutions, a digital marketing communications agency, has named Mary Doherty VP of client services. In addi tion, Steve Wright has joined Intouch as senior director of development, overseeing development and site maintenance across all clients. Mr. Wright was most recently with VML, where he led the practice management group. Wayne DUNLAP S&R Communications Appoints Client VP Fullservice healthcare marketing and communications company S&R Communications Group has hired Wayne Dunlap as senior VP, client marketing and communication. He previously served as general manager at MedPoint Communications. Alison GUSTAFSON William LONG Michelle SAMENFELD AbelsonTaylor Makes Hires Healthcare advertising agency Abelson Taylor has announced serveral additions. Ali son Gustafson rejoins AbelsonTaylor as a senior account executive. William Long was promoted to senior account executive from account executive. Michelle Samenfeld has also been promoted to senior account executive from account executive. Kim LEVY MicroMass Promotes Senior VP MicroMass Communications, a leader in behavioral science based relationship marketing, has promoted Kim Levy to senior VP. She received an M.S. in healthcare management from Mercer University and is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives. Media POOL Kelly MCNULTY Elsevier Oncology Hires Sales Manager Kelly McNulty has joined International Medical News Group as national sales manager for Elsevier Oncology. Ms. McNulty is working on Community Oncology, The Journal of Supportive Oncology, and The Oncology Report. She comes to IMNG from CMPMedica’s The Oncology Group. Service POOL Rob REBAK Marketing Technology Solutions Hires CEO Rob Rebak has joined Marketing Technology Solutions (MTS) as CEO. Mr. Rebak was most recently CEO of Parenting TeensNetwork. MTS is an interactive marketing agency. # Send your personnel announcements to [email protected]. Pharmaceutical POOL Elizabeth BARRETT Dr. Martine GEORGE Pfizer Adds to Oncology Leadership Team Global pharmaceutical company Pfizer has made two executive appointments to its oncol ogy business unit. Elizabeth Barrett has joined Pfizer as regional president, U.S., for its oncology busi ness unit, where she leads sales, field opera tions, and marketing. Ms. Barrett has more than 25 years of management expertise, most recently as VP and general manager, oncology business unit, for Cephalon. Ms. Barrett has received numerous awards from industry organizations including TWIN (Tribute to Women in the Industry), DTC Marketer of the Year, VP Sales/Marketing Award, HBA Rising Star, Women’s Leader ship Initiative Ambassador, and Outstanding Marketer of the Year. She holds an MBA in marketing from St. Joseph’s University. Pfizer also has named Martine George, M.D., M.Sc., as VP of medical affairs for its oncology business unit. Dr. George is respon sible for managing external relationships with cancer agencies, organizations, and specialists around the world. Dr. George has 20 years of experience in leading pharmaceutical organizations with expertise in medical affairs, clinical research, and regulatory affairs. Most recently, she served as senior VP of drug development and chief medical officer at GPC Biotech. She received an M.Sc. in pharmacology from Montreal University and an M.D. from Paris University, and is boardcertified in med ical oncology. Dr. Paul KORNER Ferring Names Head of FIPCUS Drug Development Subsidiary Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals that offers a line of urology, orthopedic, and infertility products in the U.S. market, has promoted Paul Korner, M.D., MBA, to senior VP of the Ferring Inter national PharmaScience Center U.S. (FIPCUS), Ferring’s drug development subsidiary. Dr. Korner is responsible for the clinical manage ment of U.S. drug development. Hewas formerly VP, medical affairs, for Fer ring’s infertility, orthopedics, urology, and gas troenterology therapeutic areas, as well as prod uct safety. A boardcertified obstetrician and gynecol ogist, Dr. Korner received an M.D. from Loy ola University’s Stritch School of Medicine. He also holds an MBA from the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State Univer sity. Biotechnology POOL Dr. Ahmed HAMDY Former Elan Executive Joins Pharmacyclics as CMO Pharmacyclics, a developer of novel phar maceutical products to treat serious unmet medical needs in oncology and autoimmune diseases, has named Ahmed Hamdy chief medical officer. Dr. Hamdy was most recently therapeutic area head responsible for gastroenterology and autoimmune clinical development at Elan Pharmaceuticals. He received his M.D. from Cairo Universi ty in Egypt. Robert HAMM Biogen Idec Promotes VP to Operating Chief Global biotechnology firm Biogen Idec has promoted Robert Hamm to chief operating officer from executive VP, pharmaceutical operations and technology. In his new role, Mr. Hamm adds global business operations to his responsibilities. He has been with Biogen Idec since 1994. Dr. Elizabeth JOHN Dr. John (Zhihua) ZHANG EnzymeRx AddsTwoVPs EnzymeRx, a private clinicalstage biotech nology company developing uricasePEG 2
for the treatment of resistant and refractory gout and related indications, has announced two additions to its management team. Elizabeth John, Ph.D., has joined EnzymeRx as VP, manufacturing. Dr. John most recently served as head of research and development at Centegen. She received an M.S. in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Rutgers University. She also completed postdoctoral training in radiopharmaceutical chemistry at Purdue Uni versity. EnzymeRx also has named John (Zhihua) Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. as VP, preclinical research and development. Dr. Zhang was previously director, preclin ical pharmacology and toxicology, at Pharma copeia until its acquisition by Ligand Pharma ceuticals in December 2008. Dr. Zhang obtained an M.S. in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an M.D. from Guangxi Medical University in China, and a Ph.D. in toxicology from Rutgers University. He also did postdoctoral training at the National Can cer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Daniel ADELMAN Alvine Names Medical Chief Alvine Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapeutics for autoimmune/gastrointestinal diseases, has appointed Daniel Adelman, M.D., as senior VP, development and chief medical officer. Before joining Alvine, Dr. Adelman was senior VP of development and chief medical officer at Sunesis Pharmaceuticals. He received an M.D. from the University of California, Davis. Stephen DIPALMA Dr. Joanne KAMENS Ramani VARANASI RXi Announces Addition,Promotions to Leadership Team RXi Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical PharmaVOICE J un e 2009 D I G I TAL ED I T I ON — BONUS CONTENT TALENT pool company pursuing the development and com mercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi) technolo gy, has promoted Chief Financial Officer Stephen DiPalma to the additional role of executive VP of business operations, formally adding operational, development, and strate gic planning responsibilities to his existing duties. Mr. DiPalma has an MBA from Bab son College. In other moves, RXi has promoted Joanne Kamens, Ph.D., to senior director of discovery from director of discovery research. Dr. Kamens leads RXi’s research group in evaluat ing novel rxRNA compounds and delivery technologies and manages RXi’s inflammato ry disease program. She received a Ph.D. in genetics from Harvard University. Ramani Varanasi has joined RXi as VP of business development, focusing on developing product and technology partnering strategies as well as leading all new and existing business development relationships. Most recently, Ms. Varanasi served as head of business development at Archemix. She earned an M.Sc. in biochemistry from McGill University and an MBA from Northeastern University. Dr. Oliver FETZER Former Cubist VP Joins Cerulean as CEO Cerulean Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel, intelligently designed, nanoparticlebased drugs, has named Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., president and CEO. He succeeds Alan Crane, who has been named chairman. Dr. Fetzer was most recently senior VP, corporate development and research and development, at Cubist Pharmaceuticals. He received an MBA from Carnegie Mel lon University and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the Medical University of South Carolina. Michael NARACHI New CEO at Orexigen Orexigen Therapeutics, a biopharmaceuti cal company focused on the treatment of obe sity, has appointed Michael Narachi as presi dent and CEO. He succeeds interim President and CEO Eckard Weber, M.D., who remains executive chairman of Orexigen. Before joining Orexigen, Mr. Narachi served as chairman, CEO, and president of Ren Pharmaceuticals and executive chairman of Naryx Pharma. He received an M.A. in molecular genetics from the University of California, Davis, and an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. Device/Diagnostic POOL George LANDAU TYRX Hires Business DevelopmentVP TYRX, a company focused on the com mercialization of implantable medicalphar maceutical devices, has named George Lan dau as VP, business development. Mr. Landau has more than 18 years of business development experience in the medical device industry, most recently as VP, business development and marketing planning, for Tengion. He received an MBA from New York University. Emerging POOL John KEILTY Joseph MCPHERSON Promotions at Infinity Pharmaceuticals Infinity Pharmaceuticals, focused on the discovery, development, and delivery of new medicines for the treatment of cancer, has announced two leadership promotions. John Keilty has been promoted to VP, information technology and informatics. Mr. Keilty has been a key figure in building Infinity’s informatics and information tech nology development functions since joining the company in early 2002. Infinity has promoted Joseph McPherson to VP, facilities and operations. Mr. McPher son joined Infinity at its inception in 2001 and has been instrumental in managing the company’s expanding laboratories, health and safety programs, and supplychain activities. Dr. Patrice RIOUX NewMedical Chief at Raptor Pharmaceuticals Raptor Pharmaceuticals has appointed Patrice Rioux, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, with responsibility for the clinical and regulatory advancement of Raptor’s clinicalstage drug development programs. He previously held the same position at FerroKin Biosciences. Educated in France, Dr. Rioux holds a master’s in pharmacology, an M.D., and a Ph.D. in mathematical statistics. Raptor Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to speeding the delivery of new treatment options to underserved patients by work ing to improve existing therapeutics through the application of highly special ized drug targeting platforms and formu lation expertise. Agency POOL Dr. Chetan VIJAYVERGIA NewMedical Strategy Director at Y Brand Y Brand, an inVentiv Health company, has named Chetan Vijayvergia, Ph.D., director, medical strategy. Dr. Vijayvergia joins Y Brand from Ogilvy Healthworld Medical Education, where he served as VP, group director of scientific services. Dr. Vijayvergia is responsible for assisting Y Brand in expanding its strategic capabilities, adding a new dimension to strategic and branding expertise, and elevating the offerings for customers across the product life cycle. Technology POOL James SCULLION DecisionView Chairman Assumes CEO Role DecisionView, a provider of clinical optimization solutions for the lifesciences industry, has named Chairman James Scul lion to the additional roles of president and CEO. Mr. Scullion succeeds Steve Andrade, who has left DecisionView to pursue other opportunities.