Merck’s post-merger management structure and a difference of opinion at LifeCycle Pharma – People on the move

By Nick Taylor

- Last updated on GMT

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in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma space, including Merck’s post-merger management structure and a difference of opinion at LifeCycle Pharma.

Merck& Co ​has released the management structure it will use once the merger with Schering-Plough​ is complete. About 40 per cent Schering’s senior leaders will take executive roles in the new company, which will be split into five divisions.

Kenneth Fraizer​ will take lead the global human health (GHH) division. He currently serves as executive vice president (VP) and president of GHH. The leadership team will consist of executives from Merck and Schering.

Merck research laboratories will be led by Peter Kim​, who is currently executive VP and president of the group. He will be supported by a team that includes four leaders from Schering’s research institute.

Willie Deese​ will lead Merck manufacturing. He currently serves as executive VP and president of the division. The other divisions are animal health and consumer health.

In addition Mark Erion​ has left his role as CEO of Metabasis Therapeutics​ to join Merck as VP and worldwide basic franchise head of diabetes and obesity.

Jim New ​is stepping down as president and CEO of LifeCycle Pharma ​with immediate effect. The decision is related to different views on how an international company based in Scandinavia should be managed.

Affitech​ has strengthened its management team by appointing Alexander Duncan ​and Robert Burns​. Duncan joins the company as senior VP of R&D and has previously worked at AstraZeneca and Cambridge Antibody Technology.

Burns has been appointed as CEO of the company. He has previously worked at Celldex and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.

Akela Pharma​ has appointed Greg McKee​ as its CEO and Robert Rieder​ has taken the post of chairman. McKee is a member of Akela’s board of directors and has more than 20 years experience in biotech management at companies including Nventa and Valentis.

Most recently Reider was CEO of Cardiome and he has also held positions at MDS Ventures Pacific and Synapse Technologies.

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