News from Inviragen, Auxilium, and Icon Biosciences – People on the move
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals has appointed Adrian Adams as CEO and president.
Adams – who succeeds Armando Anido – has also been appointed to the company’s board of directors.
He was most recently chairman and CEO of Neurologix, a biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative gene therapies for disorders of the brain and central nervous system.
Inviragen has named Gilad Gordon as new chief medical officer.
Gordon’s 23-year-career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry spans research, product development, regulatory affairs, drug approvals, outcomes research, health economics, and marketing of vaccines, drugs, biologics, devices and diagnostics.
Prior to joining the firm, Gordon was president of the consulting company ORRA Group.
He also currently serves as clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver.
Aaron Berg has become Essentialis’ new CEO – a promotion the position of president and chief commercial officer.
Berg joined the company, who focus on the development of a novel medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in January, 2010.
Previously, he has worked for a number of big pharma companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb and GlaxoSmithKline.
Of Berg – also drafted onto the board of directors – chairman Stuart Collinson said: “As we now transition from mid-stage development to the next phase in our evolution, the Board of Directors recognized Aaron's cardiovascular and metabolic disease expertise make him an ideal leader for Essentialis.”
Australian drug development firm Spinifex Pharmaceuticals has appointed Declan Doogan as non-executive chairman.
Currently CMO of Amarin Corporation, Doogan’s 30 year career includes a 20 year spell at Pfizer.
Spinifex CEO Tom McCarthy said: “Declan will add to the Spinifex Board not only his exceptional depth of experience in drug discovery and development within major pharmaceutical companies but also genuine entrepreneurial skills.”
He added that the firm will draw from McCarthy’s experience to advance its novel compound EMA401, for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Christopher Begley has announced that hewill step down from his role as Hospira chairman at the beginning of 2012.
Begley helped launched Hospira as an independent firm, and oversaw the creation of its 2004 spin-off from Abbott Laboratories.
In his stead, John Staley – a founding director of the company's board and currently its lead director –will be appointed non-executive chairman.
Begley said: “Launching Hospira as an independent company has been the most rewarding experience of my three decades in healthcare, and I will greatly miss working with Hospira's talented and committed employees to advance wellness for our stakeholders around the globe.”
Wendy Yee Murahashi is set to lead Icon Bioscience’s (IBI) clinical development programs for itsproprietary Verisome drug delivery technology.
Murahashi, who will take the title ofVP of clinical development, was previously a medical director at Genentech/Roche, where she directly responsible for clinical activities for Lucentis.
"As we near the completion of our pivotal Phase 2/3 trial evaluating IBI-10090 for the treatment of inflammation in patients undergoing cataract surgery, Wendy brings to IBI relevant clinical experience that will provide immediate value to IBI," said William S. White, CEO of IBI.
