News from Sanofi, InVivo and Soligenix – People on the move
Sanofi has named Paul Chew its new head of global medical affairs.
Chew is currently senior VP, chief science office and chief medical officer (CMO) for the firm’s US division. He will continue to serve as senior VP and CMO alongside his new position.
He takes over from Jean-Pierre Lehner, who will retire in December after a 20-year career at Sanofi.
“Jean-Pierre dedicated his career to the well-being of patients and the success of the group,” said Chris Viehbacher, CEO.
Of Chew, president of global reseach and development Elias Zerhouni added: “The knowledge and experience Paul has gained through his previous roles, including his work as a cardiologist, his expertise in diabetes and work within research and development (R&D) make him ideally suited for this important role and continue the medical excellence which Jean-Pierre instilled within our organisation.”
InVivo Therapeutics has appointed Bill D'Agostino as senior director of manufacturing and engineering.
He joins the company from Angiotech Pharmaceuticals where he was VP of engineering.
CEO Frank Reynolds said: “I am confident that his wide-ranging experience with all aspects of commercializing medical devices and with us FOOD AND Drug Administration (FDA) submissions will play a pivotal role as we plan to begin a clinical trial for first-in-man use of biopolymer scaffolding to treat acute sciatica.”
NinePoint Medical has named two new senior leadership members in Judy Huber and Kurt Heine.
Huber, who takes on the role of chief financial officer, previously worked for ConforMIS, where she served in the same role.
New sales VP Heine was formerly director of sales for Boston Scientific Corporation.
Development stage biopharma Soligenix has formed a new scientific advisory board (SAB) for guidance over its oral beclomethasone dipropionate (oral BDP) OrbeShield.
The treatment, used for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS), consists of two tablets; one to release BDP in the proximal portions of the GI tract and the other for release in the distal portions of the GI tract.
The SAB will play an important advisory role in the design and conduct of the development program – still in its early phases – as well as offering advice on regulatory matters.
Board members include SAB leader and associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington George Georges, radiation oncology professor for the Maryland School of Medicine Thomas MacVittie, professor of medicine at Washington Uni’s school of medicine George McDonald, and VP of pathology at WIL Research George Parker.
"The formation of this SAB will provide us with essential scientific guidance necessary to build this important development program with the goal of obtaining approval via the FDA Animal Rule. We look forward to working with the SAB and building upon the work of Dr. Georges and his team in Seattle," said Christopher Schaber, president and CEO at Soligenix.
Karin Walker has joined Affymax as VP of finance and chief accounting officer.
Walker previously served as VP of finance and corporate controller for Amyris.
Herb Cross, chief financial officer said: “Her demonstrated capabilities in building and leading high-performing teams to support growing companies will be a tremendous asset to the company as we continue to expand our commercial presence.”
Actinium Pharmaceuticals has drafted Hagop Kantarjian onto its clinical advisory board.
Kantarjian currently leads the “largest leukemia service in the world” at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
In his new role, he will help Actinium in the development of its hematologic oncology drug candidates Actimab-A and Iomab-B.
Jack Talley, CEO said: "He is one of the foremost blood cancer experts in the world and has achieved many esteemed certifications, honours and awards over his career.”