News from Silence Therapeutics, Accorda, and Hospira – People on the move
Hospira has hired Zena Kaufman as senior VP of quality.
Kaufman, who previously served as divisional VP of global quality systems for Abbott Laboratories, will also become a member of Hospira’s senior leadership team.
She will take the helm for the firm’s quality systems as it works to recover from regulatory actions taken by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
CEO Michael Ball said that, with Kaufman’s appointment, he is confident the firm now has the best team in place to gain a “competitive advantage across our global operations.”
Thomas Christély has quit his job as director of Silence Therapeutics after just five months in the role.
Christély, who has served in various roles for the group, cited personal reasons for his departure, but insisted there would be a “smooth transition”.
In his stead, Tony Sedgwick will now take on the role of CEO. Segwick first joined the firm as CBO in September, around the same time that Christély was promoted.
Of his new appointment, Sedgwick said: “Over the next few years, I intend to increase the commercial focus of the company, harness the RNAi therapeutics opportunity and, as a result, create substantial shareholder value.”
Acorda Therapeutics has named Jane Wasman as its new chief of strategic development.
Wasman first joined Acorda in 2004 as executive VP, general counsel and corporate secretary. She will now take on long-term development plans, and will oversee integration between the company’s departments.
“During her tenure at Acorda, Jane has been one of the major contributors to our transition from a privately-held biotechnology start-up to a successful, commercial-stage company,” said Ron Cohen, Acorda's president and CEO.
“Her new role will permit her to apply these strengths more directly to help the company integrate and execute its strategic initiatives.”
Prometheus Laboratories has appointed Tony Yost as senior VP and chief commercial officer.
Prior to joining Prometheus, Yost was chief commercial officer for EKR Therapeutics. In his new role, Yost will work with the firm’s marketing and new product planning strategy.
Joseph Limber, president and CEO said he joins in time for the company’s commercial drive.
Gino Santini has joined Allena Pharmaceuticals’ board of directors.
Santini recently retired from a 27-year career at Eli Lilly, where he was most recently senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development.
A spokesperson for Allena said of his new role: “The Allena founding team has successfully worked with Mr. Santini in the past and his strategic insights and proven expertise will be of significant value to the company as it accelerates the development of its non-systemic protein therapeutics.”
The Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science has appointed Jessie English as head of research.
Prior to joining the team, English was VP of kinase biology at ArQule.
She comes to the organisation – part of the Dana-Farber Cance Institute – in the midst of the expansion of its leadership team.
The company also recently hired Pasi Jänne, and Kwok-Kin Wong as scientific directors.
