Biotechnology POOL
Dr. Diane JORKASKY
Aileron Therapeutics Appoints Medical Chief Aileron Therapeutics, a biotechnology company discovering and developing a novel class of therapeutics called stapled peptides, has appointed Diane Jorkasky, M.D., senior VP, head of development and chief medical officer. Dr. Jorkasky directs Aileron’s emerging development, clinical research, and regulatory activities across multiple therapeutic areas. Dr. Jorkasky joins Aileron after nearly a decade at Pfizer, where she most recently served as VP, development, head of worldwide clinical research operations, and leader of the Operational Excellence Board for Development. Dr. Jorkasky earned her M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is board-certified in internal medicine, nephrology, and clinical pharmacology. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Sian BIGORA Dr. David YOUNG Questcor Strengthens Executive Team Questcor Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on drugs to treat rare central nervous system and inflammatory disorders, has appointed two executives to new positions on its leadership team. Sian Bigora, Pharm.D., has been named VP, regulatory affairs. Dr. Bigora joins Questcor from AGI Therapeutics, where she was VP, clinical research and regulatory affairs. Dr. Bigora received her Pharm.D. degree from University of Maryland at Baltimore and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics Laboratory at the School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore. David Young, Pharm.D., Ph.D., has been appointed to the newly created position of chief scientific officer. Dr. Young also joins Questcor from AGI Therapeutics, where he most recently served as executive director and president, U.S. operations. Dr. Young holds an M.S. degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Pharm.D. from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Southern California. Dr. Susan KRAMER Biotech Veteran Joins Xoma Xoma, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics, has appointed Susan Kramer, Dr.P.H., VP, project and alliance management. Dr. Kramer’s responsibilities include leading and directing the program management activities for XOMA 052. Dr. Kramer most recently served as VP of development at Anesiva. She received both master and doctor of public health degrees in biomedical sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. in education from Central Michigan University. Dr. Hank MANSBACH Medivation Selects Medical Affairs VP Hank Mansbach, M.D., has joined Medivation, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel small molecule drugs to treat serious diseases with limited treatment options, as VP of medical affairs. Dr. Mansbach is a neurologist with more than 10 years of strategic and operational drug development experience. Most recently, he was senior VP and head of global drug development at Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Mansbach earned a medical degree from Duke University. Dr. Steven MILLER Jack WEINSTEIN Catalyst Unveils Organizational Changes Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners has announced expanded responsibilities for two of its executives as it enters a new phase of development. Steven Miller, Ph.D., currently Catalyst’s VP, pharmaceutical development and project management, has assumed additional duties as chief scientific officer. Dr. Miller received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Miami. Jack Weinstein, presently VP, treasurer, and chief financial officer, will assume responsibility for the company’s business development activities. Diagnostic POOL David BROWN Aureon Names VP of Sales Aureon Laboratories has hired David Brown as VP of sales. He is responsible for providing leadership to the sales team and helping to oversee the company’s planned expansion into new markets. Before joining Aureon, Mr. Brown held senior sales and marketing leadership positions with Covidien as VP of sales and marketing and VP of global market development. Chris EMERY Dr. Lony LIM CombiMatrix Appoints Leadership CombiMatrix has announced the addition of two executives to the leadership team of its CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX) subsidiary. Chris Emery has joined CMDX as chief operating officer. Mr. Emery most recently consulted for Agendia as director of clinical trials. He earned an MBA from Pepperdine University. Lony Lim, Ph.D., has been appointed VP of operations. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed the William McLendon Clinical Immunology Fellowship at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. Agency POOL Annemarie ARMSTRONG SSHI Appoints Account VP Annemarie Armstrong has joined Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations (SSHI), part of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), as executive VP, director of account leadership. Ms. Armstrong has more than two decades of experience, most recently as senior VP, director of account management for Mangos. Kelly BRAUN Bruce HUBBARD Steve KROSTYNE Eric MILLER John SLAGE Adriane VAIL Randall WHITTED Blue Diesel Makes New Hires Interactive marketing agency Blue Diesel, an inVentiv Health company, recently announced new personnel additions to its Columbus, Ohio, and Newtown, Pa., offices. Kelly Braun has joined Blue Diesel’s Columbus office as account supervisor. Ms. Braun previously had the same role at Northlich. Bruce Hubbard has been named senior multimedia developer in the Newtown office. Mr. Hubbard most recently worked for GSI Interactive as senior developer. Also in Newtown, Steve Krostyne has been named account manager. Mr. Krostyne was previously account executive for Oxford Communications. Eric Miller has joined the Newtown office as senior information architect. Mr. Miller was most recently lead user experience designer for Merrill Lynch. In Columbus, John Slage has been named senior medical marketing writer. Previously, Mr. Slage worked for Ohio Department of Education as a messaging strategist. He received a master’s degree from Franklin University. Adriane Vail has been appointed senior account manager in the Newtown office. Previously, Ms. Vail worked for Influence Interactive as a contract account director. Randall Whitted has joined the Columbus office as senior copywriter. Mr. Whitted most recently served as communications specialist at Nationwide. Scott BROWN Heather CANOVA Maria COLICCHIO Andrew DALSASS Alison FEHN Justin HARRINGTON Patty O’BRIEN Robert VELASCO EvoLogue Expands Staff EvoLogue, a full-service consumer agency of CommonHealth that provides behavioral marketing services, has announced new hires. Scott Brown has joined EvoLogue as a senior copywriter from the same role at DDB. Heather Canova has been named a senior art director, having previously held the same position at Natrel Communications. Maria Colicchio has been appointed account executive. Ms. Colicchio was most recently an account manager at Noise Marketing. Andrew Dalsass comes to EvoLogue as a group art supervisor. Mr. Dalsass was previously with MRM Gillespie. Alison Fehn has been appointed account executive. Ms. Fehn was most recently account coordinator at AgencyRx. Justin Harrington has joined EvoLogue as executive VP, director, of client services. Mr. Harrington has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and business development in pharmaceutical and consumer advertising, most recently as executive VP, group account director for Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness. He has a master’s degree in marketing from Columbia University. Patty O’Brien has been named a group copy supervisor. Most recently, Ms. O’Brien was a VP, associate creative director, at Euro Lifex2. Robert Velasco has joined EvoLogue as an account group supervisor. Mr. Velasco was previously employed as an account supervisor by MRM Gillespie. Grace CHO Michael MARTIR Jennifer MELENDRES Iris NGUYEN Jessica SPEER Jeanne WILSON New Appointments at Ignite Health Ignite Health, an inVentiv Health agency that specializes in patient-centered, technology-driven medical advertising, has announced a number of new appointments. Grace Cho has been named project manager. Previously, Ms. Cho served as interactive project manager for Dailey. Michael Martir has joined Ignite as Web developer from the same position at Digital River. Jennifer Melendres and Iris Nguyen have joined Ignite as project managers. Ms. Melendres previously was technical project manager for Verizon Wireless. Ms. Nguyen was most recently project manager for Mozaik. Jessica Speer has been named account supervisor. Before joining Ignite, Ms. Speer served as senior account executive for Weston/Mason. Jeanne Wilson has been appointed director, consumer marketing. Ms. Wilson previously was senior project manager for Abbott. Dr. Barbara DEBUONO Porter Novelli Taps Former Pfizer Executive Global public relations leader Porter Novelli has named Barbara DeBuono, M.D., M.P.H., to the newly created role of chief medical officer, global director of public health and social marketing. Most recently, Dr. DeBuono was Pfizer’s executive director, public health and government. She received a medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and a master of public health from the Harvard School of Public Health. Joe DOYLE HC&B Hires Interactive Services Director Independent healthcare agency HC&B Healthcare Communications has hired Joe Doyle as interactive services director, with responsibility for overseeing strategy and direction for all of the agency’s Web-based projects. Mr. Doyle was most recently partner and interactive strategist at Stalelife. He holds a master’s degree in communications and training from Governors State University. Scott GREISLER Former Dudnyk Manager Rejoins Agency Scott Greisler has rejoined Dudnyk, a full-service healthcare marketing and medical advertising agency, as senior VP, director of account services. Mr. Greisler has 20 years of healthcare marketing experience, including a stint as Dudnyk’s general manager and key management positions with DraftFCB Healthcare. Barbara PERKALIS Noble Marketing Selects VP Noble Marketing Group (NMG) has named Barbara Perkalis VP of business development with responsibility for leading NMG’s efforts to develop new relationships. Ms. Perkalis was most recently with SS&B. Claire PISANO Deborah REALE Solara Adds Two Staff Members Solara, a CommonHealth unit that provides strategic marketing services, has appointed Claire Pisano an account executive. In other moves, Deborah Reale has been named a senior editor at Solara. Ms. Reale was previously managing editor of Contemporary Surgery. Dr. Amber PRICE BioMedCom Names Account Exec Medical communications provider BioMedCom Partners has named Amber Price, Ph.D., VP, group account supervisor of its new San Francisco office. Dr. Price joins BioMedCom from The Scienomics Group. She holds a Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Consulting POOL Dr. Sally DAVIS Margie SHERR Double Helix Adds Research VPs Sally Davis, Ph.D., and Margie Sherr have joined Double Helix US as VPs, strategic market research. Dr. Davis has served as a healthcare industry consultant since 1999, conducting market research studies in new product development, product positioning, and message testing. She received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Sherr has two decades of experience in healthcare marketing and marketing research and has conducted extensive research with physicians, managed care decision-makers, and patients/consumers. She holds an M.A. in psychology from Temple University. CRO POOL Dr. Troy MCCALL Premier Research Group Appoints CEO Premier Research Group, an international pharmaceutical and medical device services company, has promoted Chief Operating Officer Troy McCall, Ph.D., to CEO. Dr. McCall’s move into the CEO role follows nearly three years with the company as chief operating officer. He received a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. John NEEDHAM Kendle Strengthens Patient Recruitment Team Global clinical research organization Kendle has appointed John Needham executive director and global head, patient enrollment strategy. Mr. Needham has more than three decades of industry experience. Most recently he served as founder and CEO of Needham and Company. Dr. James PUSEY Omnicare Clinical Research Names CEO Omnicare has appointed James Pusey, MBBS, president and CEO of its Omnicare Clinical Research business. Dr. Pusey succeeds Dr. Dale Evans, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Pusey most recently served as senior VP and general manager of global clinical development at MDS Pharma Services. Dr. Pusey has a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from The Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine at London University and an MBA from the London Business School. Jeffrey TROTTER PharmaNet Names Head of Phase IV Development PharmaNet Development Group, a provider of clinical development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, generic drug, and medical device companies, has appointed Jeffrey Trotter executive VP, Phase IV development. Mr. Trotter was founder and president of Ovation Research Group and joins PharmaNet from his independent consultancy, J. Trotter Research and Consulting. Medical Education POOL Dr. George DAVATELIS Erica RAY ProCom Appoints New Directors ProCom, a CommonHealth medical-education unit, has added two directors to its staff. George Davatelis, Ph.D., joins ProCom as senior medical director, with responsibility for providing scientific, clinical, and therapeutic expertise to medical affairs and brand teams. Dr. Davatelis most recently served as a strategic medical consultant/independent contractor for pharma companies and healthcare agencies. Erica Ray has been appointed account director, providing brand guidance, leadership, and account support for ProCom’s rapidly growing list of clients. Ms. Ray was previously an account supervisor, team leader, at NorthStar Clinical Communications. Joseph FRANK Jr. Vindico Hires Strategy ­Director Vindico Medical Education, a division of The Wyanoke Group, has appointed Joseph Frank Jr. director of educational strategy. He has more than 18 years of experience in the development and implementation of certified medical educational programs in various delivery platforms, including live meetings, enduring publications, and online initiatives. Service POOL Ellen DERRICO ParagonRx Expands Market Development Team ParagonRx, a company specializing in pharmaceutical risk management and optimal medication use, has named Ellen Derrico chief marketing executive in a move aimed at expanding the company’s market development. Ms. Derrico was previously interim VP of business development, sales, and marketing for P-Wave and executive advisor and consultant to Acurian and NanoScan Imaging. She earned an MBA with honors from Temple University. Christopher DOWD Former Allergan VP Joins PSSG Publicis Strategic Solutions Group (PSSG), a provider of multichannel message delivery solutions for the life-sciences industry, has appointed Christopher Dowd executive VP, business development. Most recently, Mr. Dowd was VP of sales for Allergan. PSSG is a division of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. Keith FRENCH Rx Edge Adds Sales Director Rx Edge has appointed Keith French senior director, sales. Mr. French was previously director, managed care brand marketing, oncology at Merck. A registered nurse, Mr. French holds an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. Rx Edge offers a wide variety of pharmaceutical marketing solutions to retail pharmacies, with flagship products that include information dispensers placed at the pharmacy shelf and counter that deliver product messages, disease-state education, and information for patients. Ana SANTISO New Sales Manager at Premier Healthcare Premier Healthcare Resource, a healthcare education and communication development company, has named Ana Santiso sales manager. Ms. Santiso has an extensive background in healthcare communications, having worked on eading brands, such as Mayo Clinic Proceedings, The Journal of Family Practice, The Journal of Critical Illness, and Drug Topics. Eric WISE Sales Focus Starts Medical Device Unit Sales Focus, a provider of sales outsourcing services, has appointed Eric Wise senior program manager to oversee its new medical device and manufacturing division. Mr. Wise has 10 years of experience in sales and business development for several small manufacturing companies in the medical industry and has extensive knowledge in both implantable and non-implantable devices.s. Technology POOL Craig SMITH ClearTrial Appoints Sales VP ClearTrial, a provider of clinical trial operations (CTO) software for integrated planning, forecasting, outsourcing, and project tracking, has named Craig Smith VP of sales. Mr. Smith has 25 years of experience in enterprise software in the life-sciences, oil and gas, and chemical industries, including leadership roles at Documentum (now EMC), Saba Software, and iManage (Interwoven).F Send your personnel announcements to [email protected]. Biotechnology POOL Bruce SEELEY Seattle Genetics Announces New VP Hire Seattle Genetics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease, has announced the hiring of Bruce Seeley as executive VP, commercial, leading the efforts to build Seattle Genetics’ marketing and sales functions as the company positions itself for commercial operations, including the planned 2011 product launch of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35). Mr. Seeley has more than 18 years of experience in oncology drug marketing and sales, most recently as senior director for Herceptin and T-DM1 marketing at Genentech BioOncology. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Peter LANGECKER Oxigene Appoints Interim CEO Oxigene, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, has named Executive VP and Chief Development Officer Peter Langecker, M.D., Ph.D., as interim CEO. Dr. Langecker is serving in this role while the company conducts a search for a permanent replacement for John Kollins, who has resigned to pursue other interests. Dr. Langecker received his medical degree and his doctorate in medical sciences from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich and trained in hematology and oncology. Specialty POOL Winston KIRTON Patrick RONAN DCI Expands Management Team Winston Kirton and Patrick Ronan have joined the senior management team of Digestive Care (DCI), a fully integrated pharmaceutical company developing products to alleviate complications and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Mr. Kirton, a 20-year pharmaceutical industry veteran, is the principal at The Kirton Law Firm and has served as DCI’s general counsel for the past two years. He received a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. A former FDA chief of staff, Mr. Ronan is the founder and president of Greenleaf Health, a full-service regulatory consulting firm, and has been providing strategic regulatory support to DCI for the past year. He received a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Emerging POOL Dr. Paul CHANGELIAN Dr. Peter TOOGOOD Lycera Expands Drug Development Team Lycera, a developer of novel small-molecule pharmaceuticals to treat autoimmune diseases, has added two experienced executives to its drug development team. Paul Changelian, Ph.D., has been appointed VP of biology. Before joining Lycera, Dr. Changelian worked for nearly two decades as a researcher for Pfizer in several roles, including director of inflammation biology. Most recently, Dr. Changelian led his own pharmaceutical consulting company. He received a doctorate in immunology from Harvard University and completed his postdoctoral studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Peter Toogood, Ph.D., has joined Lycera as VP of chemistry and chemical biology. Dr. Toogood’s experience includes stints as a research scientist and manager at Parke-Davis and Pfizer. He completed his doctoral work at Imperial College London and was a NATO postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. Agency POOL Melanie SHIEL Core-Create Appoints Senior Art Director Marketing communications agency Core-Create, part of The Core Nation, has named Melanie Shiel senior art director. Ms. Shiel’s experience includes more than a decade of healthcare advertising in a wide variety of therapeutic categories, including women’s health, dermatology, transplant, and hypertension. CRO POOL Dr. Ganesh IYER Former MDS Director Joins Algos as CEO Algos Preclinical Services has named Ganesh Iyer, Ph.D., president and CEO. Dr. Iyer is responsible for leading the company following its change in corporate identity from Algos Therapeutics to Algos Preclinical Services to reflect its new strategic market positioning as a U.S.-based preclinical, in vivo CRO that provides contract research services to pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical-device markets worldwide. Until recently, Dr. Iyer was director of strategic analysis and business operations at MDS Pharma Services. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Seattle University. Medical Education POOL Dr. Karen OVERSTREET Wolters Kluwer Health Bolsters CME ­Organization Wolters Kluwer Health has taken a series of initiatives to strengthen its CME programs and has made organizational enhancements following strict guidelines set by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). As part of its CME restructuring, the company has appointed CME industry leader Karen Overstreet, Ed.D., R.Ph., FACME, CCMEP as executive director to run the Lippincott CME Institute (LCMEI). LCMEI, part of Wolters Kluwer Health, Medical Research, has been separated from any Wolters Kluwer legal entity that markets products or activities supported by or sold to a commercial interest. Wolters Kluwer will operate its commercial pharmaceutical related activities as Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions. A licensed pharmacist and adult educator, Dr. Overstreet has been a leader in the CME community for 18 years, having served on the board of directors of the Alliance for CME and currently serving as president of the National Commission for Certification of CME Professionals. At LCMEI, Dr. Overstreet is responsible for strategic planning, compliance, and growth of the provider unit. She also has business development responsibilities and oversees the facilitation of resource application and staff development. Dr. Overstreet received an M.S. in drug information and communication from Long Island University and an Ed.D. in adult education from Temple University. Technology POOL Kristina ERNBERG Janet PALMIERI CRF Health Announces Promotions CRF Health, an electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) solutions company, has announced the promotion of two of its managers. Kristina Ernberg has been appointed director of program management. Ms. Ernberg continues to work within global operations, but in a new, expanded role based in Europe that includes strategic account leadership, global resource planning, and global service delivery. Janet Palmieri, who has been with CRF since 2008, has been named senior director of business development. Ms. Palmieri is responsible for strategic account leadership and management of a regional sales team. F Roche Researcher Dr. Waleed Danho Receives Meienhofer Award Innovator Recognized for Work in Peptide Chemistry Waleed Danho, Ph.D., distinguished research leader at Roche, has been recognized as the 2009 recipient of the Meienhofer Award for excellence in peptide chemistry, given at the Roche Colorado Corporation Peptide Symposium (RCCPS). Dr. Danho has a worldwide reputation as a leader and innovator in the field of peptide chemistry and the application of peptide chemistry to drug discovery. He joined Roche in 1980 following a career as a noted peptide chemist, and holds a doctorate from RWTH University of Aachen in Germany, where his research led to the first crystalline semi-synthetic insulin. Through his subsequent study of the pancreatic and pituitary hormones of camels, Dr. Danho helped discover that lipotropin is a pro-hormone of endorphin. “Each year, the world’s leading peptide scientists honor one of their own at RCCPS for a lifetime of outstanding achievement," says Ralph Di Libero, the symposium’s co-chair. “The selection of Waleed as the 2009 Meienhofer Award recipient is particularly compelling, as it speaks volumes to the central role that Roche is

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