Talent Pool executive appointments and promotions in the healthcare industry
By Carolyn Gretton
Pharmaceutical POOL
Dr. Charlotte KREMER Astellas Names Global Medical Affairs Head Charlotte Kremer, M.D., has joined Astellas Pharma as head of the global medical affairs organization. Dr. Kremer was Pfizer’s VP, therapeutic area head for ophthalmology, PVD, rare diseases and neuroscience. She received a medical degree from the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands, a diploma in pharmaceutical medicine from Université Libre de Bruxelles, and an executive MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Katherine BOWDISH Permeon Biologics Names Scientific Chief Permeon Biologics, a biopharmaceutical company, has appointed Katherine Bowdish, Ph.D., as president and chief scientific officer. Dr. Bowdish was co-founder, president, and CEO, Anaphore. She earned a Ph.D. in cellular, molecular and biophysical studies at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Steven GILLIS Lycera Selects New Chairman Lycera, a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for autoimmune diseases, has appointed Steven Gillis, Ph.D., chairman, replacing Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D. Agency POOL Charley ALDRIDGE Annie BARTON AbelsonTaylor Strengthens Creative Group Independent healthcare advertising agency AbelsonTaylor has promoted Charley Aldridge to associate creative director, art, from senior art director. He joined the company in 2006. In other moves, Annie Barton has been promoted to creative director, from associate creative director. She had more than two decades of creative experience at the agency. Daniel D’ALESIO Pacific Appoints Interactive Creative Head Healthcare communications agency Pacific Communications has hired Daniel D’Alesio as creative director, interactive/art. Mr. D’Alesio was VP, associate creative director for Ignite Health. He received an M.A. from Rutgers University. Betsy KRAMER Tanja NOREN Topin Announces Promotions Full-service healthcare marketing communications agency Topin & Associates has promoted Betsy Kramer to VP, account director, from account director. Tanja Noren has also been promoted to VP, account director. Geoff MCCLEARY Tim PANTELLO Digitas Makes Executive Additions Geoff McCleary has joined Digitas Health as VP/group director, mobile innovation. Mr. McCleary previously led the mobile marketing center of excellence at imc2. Digitas has appointed Tim Pantello senior VP, head of marketing. He was previously managing partner at Tribal DDB. Mardene MILLER Harrison and Star Names President Harrison and Star has promoted Mardene Miller to president. Ms. Miller previously served as one of three senior VPs and managing directors of Harrison and Star. She succeeds Ty Curran, who remains CEO of the agency. Dr. Cira MONTREYS Shelley PARSONS Courtney WALKER Leslie WHEELER WCG Bolsters Healthcare Expertise WCG, an independent global strategic communications consulting firm, has added four senior professionals to its ranks. Cira Montreys, Ph.D., has joined WCG as group medical director. Dr. Montreys was most recently chief medical officer for Evolution Medical Communications. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience/psychopharmacology. Shelley Parsons has been named group director, creative, working with WCG’s creative leadership team. Ms. Parsons was previously with DDB Remedy. Courtney Walker has been appointed group director. Ms. Walker was on the senior leadership team for the Pfizer business at Edelman. Leslie Wheeler has joined WCG as practice leader from DNA Medical Communications, a division of Weber Shandwick, where she served as general manager and executive VP. CRO POOL John BARKER Pharm-Olam Appoints Operations VP Pharm-Olam International (POI) a multinational, full-service CRO, has named John Barker executive VP, corporate operations. Before joining POI, Mr. Barker’s executive roles included senior VP of global government clinical trials at PPD, and VP of project management, at Quintiles. Geoff FATZINGER Former INC Director Joins Cmed Clinical Cmed Clinical Services has appointed Geoff Fatzinger VP of global medical and regulatory affairs, working to develop the CRO solutions provider’s medical and regulatory affairs group. Mr. Fatzinger joins Cmed from INC Research, where he was executive director of regulatory affairs and strategic product development. Dr. Eeva-Kaarina KOSKELO Premier Research Selects Pediatrics Director Clinical development services provider Premier Research Group has named Eeva-Kaarina Koskelo, Ph.D., executive director, clinical development services, pediatrics, with a principal role in the strategic planning and execution of the company’s pediatric studies. Dr. Koskelo received both a master’s degree in nutrition and a Ph.D. in clinical nutrition from the University of Helsinki, and an executive MBA from the Helsinki School of Economics. Dr. Rod SAPONJIC Matthew SMITH Synteract Appoints Two VPs Full-service CRO Synteract has promoted Rod Saponjic, Ph.D., to senior VP, global project management, to support growth in the company and development of international opportunities. Synteract has hired Matthew Smith as senior VP of sales and marketing, with overall responsibility for global sales operations, business development, marketing, proposals, and contracting. Mr. Smith was CEO and chief business officer of Clinimetrics. Krista STEPHENSON Chiltern Bolsters Resourcing Expertise Global CRO Chiltern International has appointed Krista Stephenson associate director, resourcing solutions, heading up the resourcing solutions business in the Americas. Ms. Stephenson received an MBA from Meredith College. Service POOL Mark ARCHER Former Quintiles Executive Joins inVentiv Health Commercial inVentiv Health has named Mark Archer senior VP of European operations and development for inVentiv Health Commercial, a provider of sales, marketing, communications, and patient outcome services. Mr. Archer is responsible for leading the company’s efforts to broaden its commercial operations in Europe, as well as identifying and supporting new business opportunities in the region. He was previously VP of global business development at Quintiles. Joe CASO Dr. Gautam GULATI Physicians Interactive Adds 2 VPs Physicians Interactive (PI), a division of Skyscape.com and provider of mobile and Web-based clinical resources and solutions for healthcare professionals, has named Joe Caso executive VP of new business development. Gautam Gulati, M.D., has joined PI as chief medical officer and senior VP of product management. Dr. Gulati was senior VP for Digitas Health. Mark FEENEY Joann FLYNN Qforma Expands Executive Roster Qforma, a healthcare data analytics and predictive modeling company, has appointed Mark Feeney VP of client services. In other moves, Joann Flynn has been selected to lead Qforma’s business development operations unit as senior director of business development operations and employee development. Lee FORSTER KnowledgePoint360 Appoints Head of Market Access at InterPhase KnowledgePoint360 Group, a provider of healthcare information and communications, has named Lee Forster to head the market access team at its consultancy division, InterPhase. Based in KnowledgePoint360’s London office, Mr. Forster is helping to further develop the suite of specialist services. He was previously with Double Helix Consulting in the United Kingdom. Dr. Dawn GABRIEL QPharma Strengthens Compliance Group QPharma, a provider of regulatory compliance and brand marketing solutions to the life-sciences industry, has named Dawn Gabriel, Ph.D., director of quality and compliance. Dr. Gabriel was previously senior director, R&D quality and compliance in the consumer division at Johnson & Johnson. She received a doctorate in pharmaceutics from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Joanna HAAS Drug Safety Expert Joins OptumInsight’s Life Sciences Group Joanna Haas, M.D. has joined OptumInsight’s Life Sciences division as chief scientist, leading OptumInsight’s scientific strategy in drug safety and risk management. OptumInsight’s Life Sciences team is a global provider of consulting, technology, and scientific insight. Ellynn Decter SZOKE New Marketing Chief at Within3 Within3, a provider of online community programs for life-sciences and healthcare institutions, has named Ellynn Decter Szoke chief marketing officer. Ms. Szoke has more than 25 years of leadership experience in marketing, business development, and strategy and started and developed her own marketing and communications firm. Dale WEISS CommCore Selects Former Galderma VP as Director CommCore has appointed Dale Weiss senior VP and director of its recently established Dallas office. Mr. Weiss was most recently VP of communications at Galderma Laboratories. Technology POOL Albert CHANG Mike GREEN SK&A Announces Promotions SK&A, a Cegedim company and a provider of healthcare information solutions and research, has promoted two executives. Albert Chang has been promoted to managing director, SK&A, from senior director, operations. Mr. Chang is directing efforts to ensure the SK&A sales team achieves its revenue objectives. Mike Green has been elevated to senior director, OneKey business development, from director, OneKey operations. Mr. Green’s responsibilities include providing leadership, expertise, and support for all aspects of client engagement for OneKey products and services. Biotechnology POOL Dr. Stephen CHEN Leadership Shift at Amarillo Biosciences Amarillo Biosciences has appointed Stephen Chen, Ph.D., chairman and CEO. He succeeds Joseph Cummins, DVM, Ph.D., who remains president and has assumed the additional role of chief operating officer. Dr. Chen has more than 30 years of international business experience, including an extensive background in pharmaceutical product acquisition and licensing, development of joint venture agreements, execution of business strategy, and leadership of start-up companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutraceutical industries. He received a Ph.D. in industrial and physical pharmacy from Purdue University. Amarillo Biosciences is a biotech company focused on the use of low-dose, orally administered interferon as a treatment for a variety of conditions. Dr. David DAVIDSON bluebird bio Selects Medical Chief bluebird bio, a developer of innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders, has named David Davidson, M.D., chief medical officer. Dr. Davidson joins bluebird from Genzyme, where he most recently served as a senior medical director. He received an M.D. from New York University School of Medicine. Joe DEPINTO Christine MIKAIL Robert POULTON Dendreon Makes Executive Appointments Dendreon, a biotechnology company focused on therapeutics targeting cancer, has announced a number of executive moves as part of a leadership restructuring. Joe DePinto has been named executive VP, global commercial operations, responsible for all sales, marketing, and market access teams in the United States and globally. Mr. DePinto was most recently VP and product champion for Lilly’s ImClone Systems subsidiary. He received an MBA in pharmaceutical chemical studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Christine Mikail has joined Dendreon as executive VP, corporate development, general counsel, secretary. Ms. Mikail oversees Dendreon’s global manufacturing, operations, logistics, and quality functions. She was previously senior VP, corporate development at Savient Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Mikail has a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Robert Poulton has been promoted to executive VP, technical operations, from global head of quality. Dr. Sean HARPER Dr. Michael SEVERINO Amgen Announces R&D Leadership Change Global biotech company Amgen has named Sean Harper, M.D., executive VP, research and development. Michael Severino, M.D., has assumed Dr. Harper’s previous role of senior VP, global development and corporate chief medical officer. Dr. Severino was most recently Amgen’s VP, global development. He received a doctor of medicine from the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Jonathan LEFF InterMune Names R&D Head InterMune has appointed Jonathan Leff, M.D., executive VP of research and development, responsible for the leadership and oversight of all groups within the biotech company’s R&D organization. Dr. Leff also is working to expand InterMune’s product portfolio, focused on pulmonology and fibrotic diseases, through support of the business development function of the company. Dr. Leff was most recently chief medical officer at KaloBios Pharmaceuticals. He received an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Burt ADELMAN Harvard Lecturer Joins Dyax as Medical Chief Dyax has named Burt Adelman, M.D., chief medical officer, leading the development and regulatory strategy for the biopharmaceutical company’s non-histamine-mediated angioedema franchise. Dr. Adelman has more than 15 years of experience and expertise in drug development and commercialization and currently serves as a lecturer in medicine at the Harvard Medical School. Mark STEJBACH Alkermes Names Commercial Chief Global biopharmaceutical company Alkermes has appointed Mark Stejbach chief commercial officer. Mr. Stejbach’s responsibilities include marketing and sales of Vivitrol and developing and executing commercial strategies for Alkermes’ late-stage pipeline assets. He most recently served as chief commercial officer at Tengion. Specialty POOL Allen FIELDS New R&D Head at Acella Pharmaceuticals Specialty pharma company Acella Pharmaceuticals has named Allen Fields VP, head of R&D, responsible for research and development, product development, clinical affairs, regulatory and technical affairs, quality, and training. Mr. Fields has more than two decades of experience as a clinical and regulatory affairs professional at a number of pharma firms, as well as serving as an independent consultant and a director at Quintiles International. Acella develops, markets, sells, and distributes a broad portfolio of specialty pharmaceutical and other products in the areas of dermatology, women’s health, pediatrics, and other applications. Emerging POOL Dr. Moe AFANEH Cannabis Science Appoints Operations Chief Cannabis Science, a biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, has named Moe Afaneh, Pharm.D., chief operations officer. Dr. Afaneh’s responsibilities include improving the overall efficiency and quality of the company’s national pharmaceutical operations and bringing its product line to the U.S. market. He holds a doctor of pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy. Diagnostic Pool Patrick MACCARTHY NinePoint Expands Leadership NinePoint Medical, a developer of medical devices for in vivo pathology, has appointed Patrick MacCarthy VP of marketing. Mr. MacCarthy was most recently VP of marketing for Olympus America. Michael STOCUM Leadership Shift at On-Q-ity On-Q-ity, a life-sciences company focused on novel circulating tumor cell (CTC) capture and characterization for clinical researchers and physicians, has named Michael Stocum president and CEO. Mr. Stocum was previously president and founder of Personalized Medicine Partners. Agency POOL Marie KENNEDY Edelman Taps Former Baxter Director as VP Global PR firm Edelman has named Marie Kennedy as executive VP, serving as group head for Edelman Los Angeles’ corporate practice, as well as U.S. lead of DJE Science’s life-sciences group. Ms. Kennedy previously served as director of global communications for Baxter International. CONSULTING POOL John BIGALKE Bill COPELAND Leadership Transition in Deloitte’s Life Sciences Practice John Bigalke, who has led Deloitte’s life-sciences and healthcare consultancy practice for the past eight years, has been named national leader of Deloitte’s public policy group. Mr. Bigalke continues to be part of Deloitte’s life-sciences and healthcare leadership team. Bill Copeland has succeeded Mr. Bigalke as the national managing principal of Deloitte’s li e-sciences and healthcare practice, as well as sector leader of the health plans group within the life sciences and healthcare practice. Ceci CONNOLLY Sandy LUTZ Veteran Journalist Joins PwC Health Research Institute PwC US has named Ceci Connolly managing director of the PwC Health Research Institute, the organization within PwC Health Industries that provides original research, insight, and analysis on the issues, policies, and trends important to health organizations and policymakers. Ms. Connolly succeeds Sandy Lutz, who has moved to the role of managing editor of the PwC Health Research Institute. Service POOL Eric JANSEN Dr. Reetu SINGH MedPoint Digital Continues Expansion MedPoint Digital, a provider of specialized digital services, has named Eric Jansen global director of business development for the research services group. Mr. Jansen was previously responsible for new business development at DOCS. Reetu Singh, Ph.D., has joined MedPoint as a validation specialist. Dr. Singh was validation/quality assurance manager at Abbott. She received an M.S. and a Ph.D. in chemical and biomedical engineering from the University of South Florida, as well as an M.S. in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India. Zena KAUFMAN Marty NEALEY Matt STOBER Dr. Thomas TEMPLEMAN Hospira Adds to Operations, Quality Leadership Teams Hospira, a provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies, has hired several executives to strengthen the company’s quality and compliance capabilities. Zena Kaufman has been appointed senior VP, quality, responsible for advancing Hospira’s global quality and compliance strategies and driving the continuous improvement of established quality procedures to ensure that processes and products meet high internal standards and regulatory requirements. Ms. Kaufman was previously divisional VP, global quality systems, global pharmaceutical operations, for Abbott Laboratories. As corporate VP, U.S. pharma operations, Matt Stober has primary responsibility for Hospira’s Rocky Mount, N.C., facility, as well as Hospira plants in McPherson, Kan.; Austin, Texas; and Clayton, N.C. Mr. Stober joins Hospira from Johnson & Johnson, where he was VP and global platform leader for solids, parenterals and vaccines. Hospira has appointed Thomas Templeman, Ph.D., VP, pharma operations excellence, with responsibility for ensuring that process change is systemic across the company’s U.S. plants. Dr. Templeman was previously senior VP, integrated supply chain at Liquidia Technologies.
