Pharma POOL
Dr. Lou Barbato
Tikvah Names VP, Clinical R&D, and Chief Medical Officer
Atlanta-based Tikvah Therapeutics has named Lou Barbato, M.D., as VP, clinical research and development, and chief medical officer. Tikvah acquires, develops, and commercializes novel therapeutics related to the central nervous system. Dr. Barbato is responsible for all U.S. and global preclinical and clinical R&D programs in the company’s therapeutic areas of psychiatry and neurology. Before joining Tikvah, Dr. Barbato was a director at Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Barbato earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Peter’s College and his medical doctorate from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Pablo J. Cagnoni OSI Pharmaceuticals Names Chief Medical Officer OSI Pharmaceuticals, Melville, N.Y., has promoted Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., to VP and chief medical officer from VP, clinical development and medical affairs. Dr. Cagnoni administers the clinical development and medical affairs activities of the company’s oncology portfolio. Dr. Cagnoni has almost 20 years of clinical development experience in oncology in both the biotechnology and the academic settings. Dr. Cagnoni graduated summa cum laude from the University of Buenos Aires Medical School in Argentina. He received training in hematology and oncology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and in bone marrow transplantation at the University of Colorado. Dr. Nathaniel Clark Novo Nordisk Appoints Senior Medical Advisor – Diabetes Novo Nordisk, Princeton, N.J., a diabetes care company, has appointed Nathaniel Clark, M.D., as senior medical advisor in the company’s U.S. diabetes division. In this newly created position, Dr. Clark provides medical leadership for key Novo Nordisk programs designed to improve patient outcomes. He acts as an advisor for such initiatives as the company’s National Changing Diabetes Program and the DAWN Youth Program. Dr. Clark most recently served as VP of clinical affairs at the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Clark holds a master’s degree in nutrition, and he was a registered dietitian before graduating from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Jeffrey B. Kindler Pfizer Names CEO Chairman of the Board Pfizer, New York, has elected CEO Jeffrey B. Kindler as chairman. Mr. Kindler’s leadership and vision for the global pharmaceutical company brings important new perspectives to all aspects of the company’s operations and strategies at a time of unprecedented change in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Kindler joined Pfizer in 2002 as executive VP and general counsel. He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from Tufts University, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard. During his corporate career, Mr. Kindler has been recognized for his leadership in the areas of pro bono legal services, diversity, and corporate social responsibility. Biotech POOL Dr. Fabrice Balavoine Quantum Genomics Appoints Head of Research Quantum Genomics (QGC), Jersey City, N.J., a global biotechnology company, has appointed Fabrice Balavoine, Ph.D., as head of research. He is responsible for managing the partnerships with research labs and for converting research results into the development phase. Before joining QGC, Dr. Balavoine, 36, was head of drug development at Cerep. He has a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Paris Sud XI and a diploma from Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielle. Dr. Alan W. Dunton Panacos Appoints CEO Panacos Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company dedicated to developing the next generation of antiviral therapeutic products based in Watertown, Mass., has appointed Alan W. Dunton, M.D., as CEO. Dr. Dunton has more than 23 years of experience in clinical research, drug development, and the regulatory process, including leadership roles in the development and approval of the prescription drugs Levaquin, Topamax, Reminyl, Regranex, and Risperdal, as well as the successful OTC product Aleve. Before joining Panacos, Dr. Dunton was president and CEO of ActivBiotics (previously Metaphore Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Dunton received his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine. Thomas A. Moore Advaxis Names CEO Biotechnology company Advaxis, located in North Brunswick, N.J., has named Thomas A. Moore as CEO and chairman. Advaxis is developing proprietary Listeria cancer vaccines. Mr. Moore replaces Roni Appel as CEO, who remains on the board and continues as an advisor to the company. Mr. Moore, 55, has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and general management. Previously, Mr. Moore was president and CEO of Biopure. Biopharmaceutical POOL Dr. Haig Bozigian Dr. Dimitri E. Grigoriadis Dr. Christopher O’Brien Neurocrine Announces Changes Neurocrine Biosciences, San Diego, has promoted Haig Bozigian, Ph.D., to senior VP, pharmaceutical and preclinical development, from VP, preclinical development. Neurocrine is a biopharmaceutical company focused on neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders. Dr. Bozigian earned his B.S. in microbiology from the University of Massachusetts, his M.S. in pharmacodynamics and toxicology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Arizona. Neurocrine has promoted Dimitri E. Grigoriadis, Ph.D., to VP, research, from VP of discovery biology. He is responsible for the research functions including drug discovery, biology, and chemistry. Dr. Grigoriadis received his B.Sc. from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Christopher O’Brien, M.D., has been named as chief medical officer in addition to his role as VP of discovery biology. A leader in neurological clinical R&D for the past 17 years, Dr. O’Brien is responsible for clinical development activities and medical affairs. Dr. O’Brien earned his B.A. from Boston University and his M.D., from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Gavin S. Choy Dr. Alex Tkachenko Hana Appoints VPs in Clinical Operations and Development Hana Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing cancer care, has promoted Gavin S. Choy, Pharm.D., and Alex Tkachenko, Ph.D. In his new role, Dr. Choy is responsible for all clinical operations as VP, clinical operations. He was previously a senior director of clinical operations at Hana, South San Francisco, Calif. Dr. Choy earned a doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. In his promotion to VP, corporate development and strategic planning, Dr. Tkachenko gains added responsibility overseeing Hana’s business development. Previously, he was Hana’s senior director, business development and operations planning. Before joining Hana, Dr. Tkachenko was employed by Genentech. Dr. Tkachenko earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Michael R. Dougherty Adolor Elects CEO Adolor, Exton, Pa., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel prescription pain-management products, has elected Michael R. Dougherty, president, CEO, and a member of the board of directors. Mr. Dougherty succeeds David Madden, who served as interim president and CEO since August 2005. Mr. Dougherty, 48, has more than 20 years of experience in various senior management positions. He was previously senior VP and chief operating officer with the company. Before joining Adolor he was president and chief operating officer of Genomics Collaborative. Dr. Pamela Harris Panacea Appoints VP Medical and Clinical Affairs Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Gaithersburg, Md., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases with unmet clinical needs, has appointed Pamela Harris, M.D., VP, medical and clinical affairs. Dr. Harris leads the design and conduct of clinical trials for the company’s therapeutic and diagnostic products for cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. Most recently, Dr. Harris was the chief medical officer at Callisto Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Harris received her M.D. from Ohio State University. Dr. Harris also completed a hematology and oncology clinical fellowship at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. She is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Douglas Mayers New VP and Chief Medical Officer for Idenix Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Mass., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of human viral and other infectious diseases, has appointed Douglas Mayers, M.D., to the position of executive VP, and chief medical officer. Dr. Mayers is responsible for the company’s clinical development activities. He has nearly 20 years of medical and clinical development experience in infectious diseases. Before joining Idenix, Dr. Mayers was international head/VP, therapeutic area of virology, with Boehringer Ingelheim. He is in the Navy Reserves and holds the rank of captain. Dr. Mayers completed his M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. James P. Panek VaxGen Appoints New President and CEO VaxGen, a biopharmaceutical company located in Brisbane, Calif., has appointed James P. Panek president and CEO. He was previously VaxGen’s executive VP. Mr. Panek has more than 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Before joining VaxGen, Mr. Panek was senior VP at Genentech. Mark L. Perry Aerovance Names President and CEO Aerovance, a Berkeley, Calif.-based biopharmaceutical company, has appointed Mark L. Perry as president and CEO. Previously, Mr. Perry, 51, was the company’s executive chairman, a position he has held since 2006. He has been a member of the board of directors since 2004. His appointment comes as Aerovance expands its leadership team and advances its asthma, eczema, and cystic fibrosis drug candidates through Phase II clinical trials. Mr. Perry is currently the senior business advisor at Gilead Sciences. He received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Howard W. Robin Nektar Appoints President and CEO Nektar Therapeutics, San Carlos, Calif., a biopharmaceutical company that develops and enables differentiated therapeutics, has appointed Howard W. Robin, 53, as president and CEO. Before joining Nektar, Mr. Robin was president and CEO at Sirna Therapeutics. Dr. Andre van As Repros Announces Appointment of Chief Medical Officer Repros Therapeutics, The Woodlands, Texas, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of pharmaceutical products that address conditions of the male and female reproductive systems, has hired Andre van As, M.D., Ph.D., as chief medical officer and senior VP, clinical and regulatory affairs. Dr. Wendell Wierenga New R&D VP Appointed at Ambit Biosciences Ambit Biosciences, San Diego, a privately held biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of small-molecule kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, has appointed Wendell Wierenga, Ph.D., as executive VP, R&D. Before his appointment, he served as executive VP, R&D at Neurocrine Biosciences. Dr. Wierenga earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Stanford University, and he completed an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford. He earned his B.A. from Hope College. Discovery POOL Michael P. Gray Dr. Changgeng Qian Curis Announces Key Management Promotions The management team infrastructure at Curis, a therapeutic drug development company focusing on cancer, neurological, and dermatological disease indications, has recently changed due to the promotion of Michael P. Gray, who most recently held the position of senior VP, finance, and chief financial officer. He assumes the additional role of chief operating officer, and continues to have primary responsibility over a majority of Curis’ administrative functions. Dr. Changgeng Qian has been named to the position of VP, discovery and preclinical development. Dr. Qian joined Curis in 2001, bringing more than 25 years of academic and industrial experience. Genomics POOL Kevin King Affymetrix Names Life-Sciences President Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif., a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools to drive the genomic revolution, has appointed Kevin M. King to president of the life-sciences business and executive VP. Mr. King previously served as president and CEO of Thomson Healthcare. Mr. King is responsible for managing Affymetrix ‘s growing life-sciences business, which serves academic, government, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers around the world. Emerging POOL Dr. John N. Bonfiglio Argos Appoints CEO Argos Therapeutics, Durham, N.C., a private biotech company that is developing breakthrough immunotherapies, has hired John N. Bonfiglio, Ph.D., as president and CEO. Dr. Bonfiglio was most recently president and CEO of Immune Response. Dr. Bonfiglio holds an MBA from Pepperdine University. He received his Ph.D. and master’s in organic chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. Dr. Michael Morrissey Lupe Rivera Exelixis Announces Senior Management Promotions Exelixis, a development-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, Calif., recently announced changes to its senior management team. Michael Morrissey, Ph.D., formerly executive VP, discovery, has been promoted to president of research and development. Dr. Morrissey is responsible for all discovery and development activities within Exelixis. Dr. Morrissey received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University and his B.S. Honors in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. Lupe Rivera has been promoted to senior VP, human resources and communication. Before her promotion, she was VP, human resources. Ms. Rivera holds a master of human resources and organization development from the University of San Francisco and is a certified senior professional in human resources. James Nash Napo Appoints Chief Operating Officer Napo Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary pharmaceuticals for the global marketplace, has appointed James Nash, 56, as chief operating officer. Most recently, he was executive VP, technical operations, at Watson Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Nash’s responsibilities at Napo, South San Francisco, Calif., include overall development and commercial operations. Mr. Nash received his B.A. in zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. from the Northwestern University. Stephen R. Seiler New Appointment at Access Pharmaceuticals Access Pharmaceuticals, Dallas, an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes propriety products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients, has appointed Stephen R. Seiler as president and CEO. Mr. Seiler takes over from Rosemary Mazanet, M.D., Ph.D., who was acting CEO of Access. Dr. Mazanet retains an active role with Access as a consultant, particularly in the clinical programs and business arrangements, and is vice-chairman. Until recently, Mr. Seiler has been acting CEO at Effective Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Seiler received a B.A. in history from the University of Notre Dame, and a J.D. from Georgetown University. Agency POOL Kristal Babbs Denise Hanson Adelle Walker New Postings at Pacific Communications Pacific Communications, a full-service healthcare agency located in Costa Mesa, Calif., has promoted Kristal Babbs to VP, management supervisor. Before her promotion, she was the group account supervisor for Zymar. She has been with the agency for four years. Denise Hanson has been appointed to senior account executive on the agency’s Medtronic diabetes account. She is responsible for daily account management. Before joining Pacific, Ms. Hanson was a product development specialist for I-Flow Corp. She holds a B.S. in business dministration/marketing from Cal State University, Long Beach. Adelle Walker has been promoted to account supervisor. She is responsible for the agency’s Tazorac, Allergan Dermatology, and ASP accounts. Before her promotion, Ms. Walker was a senior account executive. She has been with the agency for two years. Laurie Bartolomeo Bernadette Foy New Additions to Dudnyk Team Dudnyk, a full-service, strategic healthcare marketing communications agency based in Horsham, Pa., has made two executive changes. Laurie Bartolomeo re-joins the company as senior copy supervisor, and Bernadette Foy has been appointed VP, account group supervisor. Ms. Bartolomeo provides leadership and guidance for copywriters, manages quality control for the creative and copy writing process, and oversees efficiency of operations. Ms. Bartolomeo has a master of science in teaching. In this new position, Ms. Foy is responsible for the development and execution of strategic plans, relationship management, and account team leadership. She has more than 10 years of experience in senior-level marketing counsel in the communications and agency fields. Ms. Foy joins Dudnyk from Mangos. Erin Brown The Navicor Group Welcomes New Hire The Navicor Group, Columbus, Ohio, an inVentiv Health company and a full-service advertising agency that focuses exclusively on oncology and immunology, has named Erin Brown as senior copywriter. She is responsible for writing creative and scientific copy for assigned accounts. Most recently, Ms. Brown served as freelance writer for several inVentiv Communications companies, including GSW Worldwide and Stonefly Communications Group. Ms. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Kent State University Honors College. Carol DiSanto Ed Wise CDM Announces Key Leadership Changes Cline Davis & Mann, New York, a healthcare advertising agency and part of the Omnicom network, has made several changes in its executive leadership line up. Carol DiSanto, 47, succeeds Ed Wise as president of the agency, while Mr. Wise, 46, assumes the roles of chairman and CEO. This follows the retirement by the company’s Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Jack Slonaker. Ms. DiSanto has been with CDM for more than 15 years, having served most recently as director of client services. Mr. Wise joined the agency as a copywriter in 1984 and has been a part of the company’s growth ever since. In his four years as president, he has driven to diversify CDM’s client roster and has overseen CDM’s expansion into interactive, relationship marketing, and multicultural marketing by setting up several fully dedicated specialty divisions. Venice Herring inVentiv Communications Hires Staff inVentiv Communications, a division of inVentiv Health and a provider of commercialization and complementary services to the global pharmaceutical, life-sciences, and biotechnology industries, has hired Venice Herring as director, human resources. Ms. Herring is responsible for developing and implementing human-resource programs, including employee relations, orientation and talent, and performance management. She comes to inVentiv Communications, Westerville, Ohio, from Elmers. Ms. Herring holds a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Donna Lama Kevin Schinnerer Carey Wodehouse Palio Communications Adds Staff Palio Communications, a full-spectrum advertising agency and an inVentiv Health company based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has appointed Donna Lama as senior graphic designer. Formerly, Ms. Lama was employed by Tech Valley Printing. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of Saint Rose. Kevin Schinnerer has joined the agency as a graphic designer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The Art Institute of California. Carey Wodehouse has been appointed as an editor. Previously, she freelanced as a marketing consultant. Ms. Wodehouse holds a bachelor’s degree from Hollins University. Dr. Marc Pondel Shaw Science Partners Appoints Strategic Science Specialist Pharmaceutical marketing agency Shaw Science Partners (SSP), Atlanta, has named Marc Pondel, Ph.D., as strategic science specialist Dr. Pondel’s primary focus is writing SSP’s science story, which is a blueprint of the scientific platform representing the physiology, pathophysiology, mechanism of action, and application of therapeutics. Dr. Pondel earned a Ph.D. in anatomy and cell biology from the University of Virginia and conducted post-doctoral studies at Oxford University. Before joining SSP, Dr. Pondel was associate professor of cellular and molecular medicine at St. George’s, University of London. CRO POOL Mark Di Ianni PharmaNet Appoints President, Early-Stage Development PharmaNet, a provider of drug development services, has appointed Mark Di Ianni, president, early-stage development. Mr. Di Ianni is responsible for the early-stage clinical development business. He retains the position of executive VP, strategic initiatives. Mr. Di Ianni originally joined the Princeton, N.J.,-based company as executive VP, strategic initiatives. Previously, he had provided consulting services to the group. Luis T. Gutierrez Jr. Covance Promotes President, Commercialization Services Covance, a comprehensive drug-development services company with headquarters in Princeton, N.J., has promoted Luis T. Gutierrez Jr., to the new role of president, commercialization services. Mr. Gutierrez joined Covance in 1991. His previous tenure of service at the company has included various positions such as corporate VP and general manager, market access services. During his 20-year career in the life-sciences industry, Mr. Gutierrez has been closely involved with a wide range of issues affecting the development, evaluation, and ultimate dissemination of new medical technologies. Mr. Gutierrez received a bachelor of arts degree, with honors, from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Dr. Hans J. Moebius INC Research Appoints Senior VP, CNS Division for Europe INC Research, Raleigh, N.C., a therapeutically focused CRO, has named Hans J. Moebius, M.D., Ph.D., as senior VP of its central nervous system (CNS) business for Europe. Dr. Moebius is responsible for the operations, strategic planning, and corporate development of INC Research’s European CNS business. He has management oversight for all CNS and pediatrics research staff and clinical trials taking place in Europe. Dr. Moebius leads INC Research’s expansion into Switzerland and serves as head of the INC Research Zurich office. Dr. Moebius has more than 16 years of strategic drug development experience in Europe, the United States, and Japan. Dr. Moebius earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Kaiserslautern, and a doctorate in experimental pharmacology from the University of Heidelberg. Additionally, he is a board certified psychiatrist and neurologist, and he completed his medical studies at the Universities of Heidelberg and Frankfurt in Germany. Dr. Moebius holds a Swiss degree in pharmaceutical medicine. Medical-Education POOL Patrick K. Chenot Global Edge Appoints President, CEO Global Edge, a medical education company based in New York, has appointed Patrick K. Chenot as president and CEO. Mr. Chenot’s expertise covers a wide array of therapeutic categories. Most recently, Mr. Chenot was executive VP and regional healthcare director for the Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. Gabriella Cruze Scienta Healthcare Education Appoints Director of Medical Education Scienta Healthcare Education, an ACCME-accredited provider located in Durham, N.C., has promoted Gabriella “Gabby” Cruze to director of medical education. Ms. Cruze joined Scienta in 2000 as a senior program manager and in 2005 became associate director of medical education. Before joining Scienta, she spent eight years at S&R Communications (formerly Sandler & Recht Communications). Ms. Cruze is responsible for the overall direction of Scienta’s continuing medical education (CME) program, with special emphasis on the development of partnerships and new educational offerings. She continues to supervise the program management staff and provide strategic input into the planning of CME activities for the agency. John N. Norwood Curry Rockefeller Group Appoints Associate Editorial Director The Curry Rockefeller Group, Tarrytown, N.Y., a primary source of education and training, has promoted John N. Norwood to the position of associate editorial director. Mr. Norwood joined Curry Rockefeller in 2006 as a senior project editor. He is a 20-year veteran in the editorial profession, primarily in the field of medical education. Mr. Norwood earned a B.A., with a dual major in English literature and economics, from Washington University, St. Louis. Send your personnel announcements to [email protected].
