UPDATE
News from Prosonix, GENO, and BioCryst – People on the move
Prosonix has named Rob Crocker as its first head of regulatory affairs.
Prior to joining Prosonix, Crocker held numerous senior drug development regulatory affairs positions, for example at Boehringer Ingelheim, Trinity Chiesi, and GlaxoSmithKline.
The move will place Crocker in charge of implementing regulatory strategy for the UK-based pharma’s enhanced respiratory medicines, developed using its novel particle engineering tech.
Talking about the firm’s restructuring plans, CEO David Hipkiss said: “Prosonix has taken several important steps to strengthen its product development capabilities since its £11.4 million fundraising in June 2011.
“We recently announced the formation of a new Scientific Advisory Board and we are also building our expertise in regulatory affairs and clinical development.”
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals has elected Nancy Hutson to the board of directors.
Hutson retired from Pfizer in 2006 after spending 25 years with the firm, most recently serving as senior VP of global research and development.
She also currently serves on the board of directors for Cubist Pharmaceuticals, and Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings.
“The organization will benefit from Nancy’s vast experience in basic research and early development as well as her general knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. We look forward to her many contributions,” said Zola Horovitz, chairman of BioCryst’s board.
Former Sepracor president James O'Shea has joined MAP Pharmaceuticals’ board of directors.
He joins the team as it develops orally inhaled migraine drug LEVADEX, currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Timothy Nelson, president and CEO of MAP, said: "The depth of Jim's experience in commercializing new pharmaceutical products in specialist markets will provide great value and we look forward to benefitting from his expertise as we advance LEVADEX."
Cerulean Pharma has drafted in Chris Guiffre as senior VP and CBO.
He comes to Cerulean – which focuses the development of targeted nanoparticles – from “guided therapeutics” firm Alvos Therapeutics, where he was president and CEO.
Oliver Fetzer, president and CEO of Cerulean, said Guiffre joins as CBO, a newly created position, at an exciting time in the company’s evolution.
He added: “Chris is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive, and his wealth of business and transactional experience will be highly valuable as Cerulean accelerates its corporate development activities in 2012 and beyond.”
Mike Crooks has become general manager of Astellas Pharma, Astellas Pharma Europe’s UK affiliate.
Crooks first joined the business in December 2007 as marketing director, then became sales and marketing director for specialist brands in 2010.
He will now take charge of the expansion of Astellas' UK business with a focus on transplantation, urology, dermatology, anti-infectives, pain management and oncology – a new field for the firm.
“Having already established category leadership in Urology and Transplantation, we are looking to do the same in Oncology, reinforcing our commitment to bringing new and effective therapies to market in areas where unmet needs still exist,” Crooks said.
Celgene Corporation has appointed Richard Barker to its board of directors.
Throughout his career, Barker has served as director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and as a board member for the European and International pharmaceutical industry federations.
He is a recognised key opinion leader in healthcare systems and government policy.
"As we continue to expand our global reach, Barker's international perspective will enhance our ability to navigate through an increasingly dynamic healthcare landscape and provide patients access to our innovative therapies," said Robert Hugin, Celgene chairman and CEO.
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