Icon has boosted its informatics and business development teams with the appointments of David Raunig and Scott Neff.

Raunig will become VP of informatics at for the firm’s medical imaging biz. He joins the team from Pfizer, where he was director of the imaging statistics practice network .

New VP of business development Scott Neff previously worked in early drug development at Quintiles, specifically focusing on Phase I Clinical trials and Cardiac Safety. In a statement, a spokes person for the firm said Neff brings “a unique perspective on the importance of scientific leadership in clinical drug development”.

Thomas Shenk has announced his retirement from Merck’s board of directors.

The Princeton University Elkins professor, who works in the department of molecular biology, will now focus on forming a new company to commercialise the antiviral discoveries he has made in the college’s lab.

He first joined Merck’s board in 2001.

Clinipace has hired Jürgen Frisch as its new chief medical officer of European operations.

Prior to joining Clinipace, he served as a medical reviewer at Swissmedic medical health authority.

At the eClinical CRO (contract research organisation), Frisch will take charge of the teams who provide advice to medical and regulatory service groups.

Kurt Pfizer, CEO of European operations for the company, said Frisch’s expertise will help the firm attract more business from drug developers.

Healthcare communications bod Ogilvy CommonHealth has named Iyiola Obayomi as senior director.

Prior to joining the business, he was VP and director of analytics at McCann marketing firm.

In his new position, Obayomi will expand the group’s current analytics client base, and explore new healthcare marketing techniques and opportunities.

AbelsonTaylor has made two new hires in a bid to boost its online interactive services in the healthcare advertising space.

Software engineer Lisa Rosselli will become the senior interactive developer in charge of developing the firm’s mobile applications for Android and iOS platforms, as well as desktop applications for clients’ brands.

And Chandana Reddy will take on the role of interactive developer working on interactive projects across all brands.