Pharmaceutical POOL

Dr. Milind DESHPANDE
Achillion Pharmaceuticals Promotes R&D President Achillion Pharmaceuticals, which is focused on the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs to combat challenging infectious diseases, has promoted Chief Scientific Officer Milind Deshpande, Ph.D., to the additional role of president of research and development. Dr. Deshpande joined Achillion in 2001 as VP of chemistry and was most recently executive VP of research and development and chief scientific officer. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Ohio University. * Biotechnology POOL Dr. Barbara FINCK NKT Therapeutics Appoints Medical Chief Privately held biotechnology company NKT Therapeutics has named Barbara Finck, M.D., chief medical officer. Dr. Finck most recently was the senior VP research and development and chief medical officer at Osprey Pharmaceuticals. She received an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. NKT Therapeutics is focused on developing therapeutics based on unique immune cells called natural killer T (NKT) cells to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and dermatitis. Dr. Thomas WERNER Former GlaxoSmithKline VP Joins Accera as CEO Accera, a medical research and development company delivering breakthrough therapies for serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, has named Thomas Werner, Ph.D., president and CEO. Before joining Accera’s board of directors in March 2009, Dr. Werner was managing director and senior VP of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Germany and CEO of the GSK Foundation. He also co-founded the Genetic Research Center, a joint venture with the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, both in Munich. Dr. Werner earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Gottingen in Germany. * Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Scott BILLER Agios Taps Former Novartis VP as ­Scientific Chief Agios Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs in the emerging field of cancer metabolism, has named Scott Biller, Ph.D., chief scientific officer. Dr. Biller joins Agios from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where he was VP and head of global discovery chemistry at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). Dr. Michael CURTIS Catabasis Names Product ­Development VP Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases, has named Michael Curtis, Ph.D., VP, product development. Dr. Curtis is responsible for leading Catabasis’s product development strategy and overseeing advancement of the company’s preclinical programs, IND-enabling studies, and clinical trials. Dr. Curtis was previously VP, pharmaceutical development, for Infinity Pharmaceuticals. He received a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology (protein biochemistry) from Upstate Medical University, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Dr. Michael DUNNE Paul EDICK Corey FISHMAN Durata Therapeutics Forms Senior Leadership Team Durata Therapeutics has added three top executives as the biopharmaceutical company prepares for the next stage in its growth as a developer of new antibiotics to treat infectious diseases. Michael Dunne, M.D., has joined Durata as chief medical officer. Dr. Dunne was most recently Pfizer’s VP and therapeutic area head responsible for the clinical development of compounds in Pfizer’s anti-infective franchise. He received an M.D. from the State University of New York Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn and completed fellowships in infectious diseases and pulmonary medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Durata has named Paul Edick CEO. Mr. Edick was previously CEO of Ganic Pharmaceuticals. Corey Fishman has been appointed chief operating officer. Mr. Fishman joins Durata from Ganic Pharmaceuticals, where he was chief financial officer. He holds a master’s in management from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Alex MARTIN Roxanne TAVAKKOL Unigene Expands Leadership Team Unigene Laboratories, a company focused on the design, delivery, manufacture, and development of peptide-based therapeutics, has added VPs to its executive roster. Alex Martin has been named VP, business development, and head of commercial operations. Mr. Martin was previously CEO of Affectis Pharmaceuticals. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School. Unigene has promoted Roxanne Tavakkol to VP, global regulatory affairs, from senior director, regulatory affairs. She earned an M.S. in molecular biology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Philip VICKERS Shire Appoints R&D VP for Human Genetic Therapies Business Global specialty biopharmaceutical company Shire has named Philip Vickers, Ph.D., senior VP of research & development (R&D) for its Human Genetic Therapies (HGT) business. Dr. Vickers is responsible for leading global R&D for Shire HGT and for establishing the strategic direction of the company’s pipeline. Dr. Vickers joins Shire HGT from Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, where he was president and chief scientific officer. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Toronto. Dr. Barbara WIROSTKO Altheos Names Medical Chief Altheos, a biopharmaceutical company focused on next-generation treatments for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, has appointed Barbara Wirostko, M.D., chief medical officer. A board-certified ophthalmologist with glaucoma subspecialty training, Dr. Wirostko was senior medical director and glaucoma medical team lead at Pfizer. * Specialty POOL Al ALTOMARI Agile Therapeutics Taps Executive Chairman as CEO Agile Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical development company specializing in women’s healthcare products, has selected Executive Chairman Al Altomari to succeed Thomas Rossi, Ph.D., as president and CEO. Dr. Rossi remains scientific advisor to the company. Mr. Altomari has 25 years of experience in the industry, with emphasis on the development and marketing of specialty pharmaceutical products. Most recently, he was CEO of Barrier Therapeutics. * Discovery POOL Dr. David LATHBURY Former AstraZeneca Executive Joins AMRI Drug discovery and development company Albany Molecular Research (AMRI) has appointed David Lathbury, Ph.D., VP of chemical development. Dr. Lathbury’s responsibilities include leadership of AMRI’s three chemical development operations in the state of New York and the coordination of global projects spanning all AMRI chemical development operations. Dr. Lathbury joins AMRI from AstraZeneca, where he was director of process chemistry for AstraZeneca Process Research and Development. He earned a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Southampton University in the United Kingdom. * Agency POOL Jennifer ACCUMANNO Tara Lyn ANTONUCCI Mike BRZOZOWSKI Sonja “Sunny" FOSTER-STORCH Meghan REILLY Paul STEINER Eunice TORRES Michelle YERED HealthEd Makes Staff Expansion HealthEd, a specialized agency focused on turning education into positive health outcomes, has announced several additions and promotions to its staff. Jennifer Accumanno has been named senior account executive. Ms. Accumanno was previously account executive for Vogel Farina. Tara Lyn Antonucci joins HealthEd as relationship marketing operations manager. Ms. Antonucci was formerly a campaign integration manager/business intelligence analyst for The Hibbert Group. Mike Brzozowski has been appointed chief strategy officer, with responsibility for leading and expanding HealthEd’s strategic marketing and health education consulting services. Mr. Brzozowski was most recently executive VP of customer relationship marketing for Draftfcb. Sonja “Sunny" Foster-Storch has been named executive VP, managing director, responsible for leading HealthEd’s client services group. Ms. Foster-Storch comes to HealthEd from The CementBloc, where she led the market development and marketing strategy team. Meghan Reilly has been promoted to account executive, account services from assistant account executive. Paul Steiner has been appointed executive VP, managing director for Encore, a HealthEd company. Mr. Steiner is responsible for leading Encore’s client services group. He was previously senior VP, director of customer relationship marketing at Draftfcb. Eunice Torres has joined HealthEd as digital project manager. Ms. Torres was most recently with CDMiConnect Agency. Michelle Yered has been named senior account executive. Ms. Yered was previously an account executive for Integrated Communications. Jon BARLOW Dawn CRAWFORD Jeff HILL MedThink Announces Staff Additions, Promotion Full-service healthcare communications company MedThink Communications has made a number of additions and promotions. Jon Barlow has joined MedThink as senior digital strategist. Mr. Barlow was previously interactive and social media marketing manager for Aspen Dental Management. Dawn Crawford has joined MedThink as manager, social media, leading the development of social media strategies to increase brand awareness and audience engagement. Additionally, Ms. Crawford manages MedThink’s social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. She was previously director of communications at the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition. MedThink has promoted Jeff Hill to director of digital strategy and technology, from senior digital strategist in the digital and media services group. Mr. Hill oversees all digital strategy for MedThink’s client portfolio, including the integration of digital solutions into clients’ overall marketing programs and the development and technical programming of all Web-based assets. Kyle GRAZIA Biolumina Adds VP, Creative Director Biolumina, an Omnicom Group healthcare advertising agency, has named Kyle Grazia a senior VP, creative director, art. Mr. Grazia was previously VP, associate creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare. Linda KAY imc² Appoints Medical Science ­Director Full-service healthcare marketing agency imc² Health & Wellness has appointed Linda Kay medical science director, with responsibility for leadership, support, and expertise as it relates to strategy development; consumer- and HCP-targeted content development; and medical, legal, and regulatory compliance. She joins the agency from Draftfcb, where she was VP, medical director. Ms. Kay has a master’s degree in science and doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Martin LAIKS dDFCB Names Managing Director dDFCB, a Draftfcb Healthcare agency, has hired Martin Laiks as executive VP, managing director, responsible for leading all digital business development efforts, integration, and operations. Mr. Laiks was most recently managing director at the health and wellness practice of G2. He received an MFA from Columbia University and an MBA from Yale University. * Consulting POOL Tony CHEN Derek EVANS Edward MASTERSON ALSCG Expands Management Team Alliance Life Sciences Consulting Group (ALSCG), a management and technology consultancy, has expanded its capabilities and management team. Tony Chen has been named associate director of government pricing. Mr. Chen’s experience includes stints with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and IMS Health. Derek Evans has been appointed practice leader for information management and analytics. Mr. Evans has more than 20 years of experience within the life-sciences industry. Edward Masterson has joined ALSCG as senior VP of consulting operations. Mr. Masterson oversees all aspects of ALSCG consulting services, including solution development and service delivery to clients. He previously served as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. * CRO POOL John BARKER Dr. Hans-Peter GULER INC Research Adds VPs INC Research, a therapeutically focused contract research organization, has appointed John Barker executive VP to lead its global services business unit. Mr. Barker is responsible for maintaining INC’s range of global trial services, including data services, regulatory, drug safety, and functional services. He previously served in executive leadership roles at PPD. On the research side, Hans-Peter Guler, M.D., has joined INC as VP, clinical development of endocrine. Dr. Guler has more than 20 years of experience in clinical research and most recently served as chief medical officer and VP of clinical development for Phenomix. He received an M.D. from the University of Zurich. Dr. William DEMAIO Dr. Lawrence “Bob" LIMA III Dr. Eric LUBERT Ricerca Biosciences Strengthens ­Scientist Roster Ricerca Biosciences, a preclinical contract research organization providing services to the biopharmaceutical industry, has announced additions to its pharmacokinetics, analytical chemistry, and drug safety teams. William DeMaio, Ph.D., has joined Ricerca as senior director of the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) department, offering support for Ricerca’s discovery and preclinical development programs. Dr. DeMaio was previously associate director of biotransformation at Wyeth Research. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Houston. Lawrence “Bob" Lima III, Ph.D., has been named director of analytical chemistry, assisting in creating a strategy to expand the department, focused on delivering technical excellence and customer satisfaction. Dr. Lima’s previous experience includes positions directing analytical departments at other CROs. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle and an MBA from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Eric Lubert, Ph.D., has joined Ricerca as a scientist in its drug safety division, with responsibility for the technical management of Ricerca’s biotherapeutics assay group and scientific leadership in biotherapeutic development programs. Dr. Lubert was previously a research scientist at Battelle Memorial Research Institute. He earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Ali FAQI MPI Research Promotes Senior Toxicology Director MPI Research has promoted Ali Faqi, DVM, Ph.D., to the additional role of senior director of developmental and reproductive toxicology (DART). Dr. Faqi continues to serve in his role of senior principal study director and as a member of MPI’s drug safety leadership team. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Leipzig and a DVM from Somali National University. MPI Research provides safety evaluation, discovery, bioanalytical, and analytical services to the biopharmaceutical, medical device, animal health, and chemical industries. * SERVICE POOL Lori CHRISTIANSEN KFA Opens San Francisco Office Retained executive search firm K Fehling & Associates (KFA) has appointed Lori Christiansen as biotech practice leader and executive search consultant. Ms. Christiansen is responsible for leading the firm’s growing biotech and energy search practice and managing the San Francisco office. Before joining KFA, Ms. Christiansen spent 10 years with an executive search firm focused on senior level searches in the biotech industry. David HEPLER Pfizer Veteran Joins inVentiv Commercial’s Account Team inVentiv Commercial Services, a division of inVentiv Health providing outsourced sales and commercialization solutions to the global healthcare industry, has named David Hepler executive VP, strategic account management and planning. Mr. Hepler is responsible for developing and expanding client relationships, coordinating business development across the commercial division, and driving innovative new client solutions. Mr. Hepler joins inVentiv Commercial after a 20-year career with Pfizer, where he most recently served as a VP in the program management office. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University and a master’s degree in psychology from Johns Hopkins University. David SIMON SK&A Adds Senior Sales Director SK&A, a Cegedim Relationship Management company and provider of healthcare information solutions and research, has appointed David Simon senior director of sales. Mr. Simon is responsible for managing SK&A’s inbound, utbound, reseller, and solution sales teams. Mr. Simon’s 25-year career in the information industry includes positions in sales management, sales, and marketing management. * Technology POOL Dave BURLINGTON Epocrates Appoints Operations Chief Epocrates, a developer of drug and clinical reference solutions, has named Dave Burlington chief operations officer. Mr. Burlington has almost 25 years of experience in product development, strategy, service, delivery, and launch of on-demand/SaaS architectures from a number of software companies. Most recently, he served as Taleo’s group VP of applications and technology. * Biotechnology POOL Michael KRANDA Vaccinogen Names Biotech Veteran as Chief Executive Vaccinogen, a biotechnology company developing and commercializing cancer vaccines and other immunotherapeutic products, has selected Michael Kranda as president and CEO to guide the company through its next stage of growth. Mr. Kranda was previously CEO and president of Anesiva. He received an MBA from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Dr. Robert PETIT Advaxis Appoints Clinical Operations VP Advaxis, a biotechnology company developing vaccines that deliver engineered tumor antigens to fight cancer, has named Robert Petit, Ph.D., VP of clinical operations and medical affairs. Dr. Petit was the U.S. medical strategy lead for the ipilimumab program at Bristol-Myers Squibb. William RIEFLIN NGM Biopharmaceuticals Names CEO William Rieflin has been appointed CEO of NGM Biopharmaceuticals, a privately held biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of biotherapeutics for Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Mr. Rieflin was most recently president of XenoPort. He received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. * Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Nicholas BACOPOULOS Dr. Julie OLSON Mersana Announces Leadership Change Mersana Therapeutics, a platform-based cancer therapeutics company, has appointed Nicholas Bacopoulos, Ph.D., president and CEO. Dr. Bacopoulos served as president and CEO of Aton Pharma. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University School of Medicine. He succeeds Julie Olson, Ph.D., who has been appointed chief technology officer. Dr. Igor BILINSKY Vical Names Corporate Development VP Vical has appointed Igor Bilinsky, Ph.D., senior VP, corporate development. Dr. Bilinsky was previously VP business development and special operations at Halozyme Therapeutics. He earned a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Vical is a biopharmaceutical company that researches and develops products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Dr. Neil GRAHAM Dr. Israel LOWY Dr. Pamela TRAIL Regeneron Strengthens Clinical ­Development Team Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions, has added three VPs to its therapeutic development leadership to support the company’s long-term clinical development plan. Neil Graham, M.D., has been appointed VP of program direction in immunology and inflammation, with responsibility for driving antibody programs forward in this therapeutic area. Dr. Graham joins Regeneron from Vertex, where he was senior VP of program and portfolio management. Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., has been named VP of clinical sciences and translational medicine. Dr. Lowy is working with preclinical research groups across therapeutic categories to identify the most promising antibodies to advance to clinical development, and is responsible for overseeing early-stage clinical trials. He was previously senior medical director of clinical sciences and infectious diseases at Medarex. Pamela Trail, Ph.D., joins Regeneron as VP of program direction in oncology, responsible for leading the sector’s antibody programs from lead selection through BLA application. Dr. Trail was most recently VP, oncology for MedImmune. Dr. Gloria LEE Kite Pharma Appoints Medical Chief Kite Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative active immunotherapies for cancer, has named Gloria Lee, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, with responsibility for development of Kite’s portfolio of product candidates. Dr. Lee was previously VP of clinical development at Syndax Pharmaceuticals. She received an M.D. from the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Columbia University. Dr. Merdad PARSEY 3-V Biosciences Selects Former ­Genentech Executive as CEO 3-V Biosciences, a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and ultimately commercializing novel antiviral therapeutics, has appointed Merdad Parsey, M.D., Ph.D., CEO. Dr. Parsey joins 3-V from Genentech, where he was most recently senior group medical director in research and early development. He holds an M.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. * Specialty POOL Dr. Laurence DOWNEY Arbor Pharmaceuticals Names ­Medical Affairs VP Laurence Downey, M.D., has joined pediatric specialty pharmaceutical company Arbor Pharmaceuticals as VP of medical affairs. Dr. Downey was most recently CEO of Ketal Biomedical. He received a medical degree from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Mark HARTMAN K-V Pharmaceutical Establishes Generic Marketing Subsidiary Specialty pharmaceutical company K-V Pharmaceutical has appointed Mark Hartman president of its newly established generic marketing subsidiary, Nesher Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Hartman’s past senior leadership experience includes stints as president, North America operations, for Wockhardt USA; president, North America generics, for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories; and VP of sales and marketing for Watson Laboratories’ generics division. * Association POOL Kevin KRUSE SPBT Appoints Executive Director Kevin Kruse has been named executive director of The Society of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Trainers (SPBT), a nonprofit organization representing more than 1,000 training professionals from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostic companies. Mr. Kruse is the founder of several life-sciences training and communication companies and most recently as founder and president of KRU Research. * Service POOL Kim BASCIANI Acurian Hires e-Recruitment ­Director Clinical trial patient recruitment and retention company Acurian has tapped Kim Basciani as director of e-recruitment to further the company’s ability to recruit clinical trial participants via online strategies. Ms. Basciani has been at the forefront of online commerce and direct marketing since the mid-1990s, leading the brand marketing initiatives and customer acquisition and retention efforts at major brands such as CDnow.com, eDiets.com, and Advanta. Steven JOHNSON New Business Development VP at ­Laureate Pharma Laureate Pharma, a full-service biopharmaceutical development and protein production company, has named Steven Johnson VP, business development. Mr. Johnson joins Laureate from Lonza, where he most recently served as VP global business development. He received an MBA from James Madison University. Jade SHIELDS Sr. PDI Taps J&J Veteran to Head ­Compliance PDI, a provider of integrated promotional outsource services to healthcare companies, has named veteran Johnson & Johnson compliance executive Jade Shields Sr. VP of corporate compliance and ethics. Mr. Shields is responsible for overseeing and monitoring all aspects of corporate compliance for PDI, including federal and state regulations and the Prescription Drug Marketing Act and also serves as chairman of the company’s corporate compliance committee. Mr. Shields joins PDI after nearly 20 years with Johnson & Johnson, where he most recently served as senior director in the office of compliance for the consumer pharmaceuticals division. * Technology POOL Dr. Paul BILLINGS Life Technologies Creates Medical Chief Role Life Technologies, a provider of biotechnology systems, consumables, and services to life-sciences researchers, has named Paul Billings, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, a newly created position aimed at improving patient care. He brings clinical experience in the areas of genomics and molecular medicine, most recently as director and chief scientific officer of the Genomic Medicine Institute at El Camino Hospital in California’s Silicon Valley. Dr. Billings received an M.D. from Harvard Medical School and a Ph.D. in immunology from Harvard University.

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