People on the move: Jobs in Pharma
Oncology company MEI Pharma has appointed Dr. Christine White as Lead Director following the retirement of Chairman of the Board Professor Bryan Williams.
Dr. White has been a director since 2010, coming to MEI from Biogen Idec. She will be effective in the role until a successor to Professor Williams is found.
"It has been a pleasure and a great honor to have served with Bryan," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., President and CEO of MEI Pharma. He added: "Christine is a highly experienced director and well suited for this role. Her guidance will help to ensure a smooth transition and provide the Board time to identify an ideal candidate for the next stage of our Company's growth."
Emerging pharmaceutical company Innovus Pharma has appointed Dr. Bassam Damaj as President and CEO.
Damaj comes direct from Apricus Biosciences where he has served as President and CEO since December 2009.
Dr. Damaj said he was looking “forward to filling the company’s product pipeline and building it into a true commercial revenue-generating organization.”
Innovus has also appointed Dr. Henry Esber as its new Chairman of the Board who said of Damaj:
“We are fortunate to be able to recruit an executive officer with Bassam’s accomplishments, expertise and identity in the marketplace.”
San Francisco based company Sutro Biopharma has expanded its financial team by appointing Edward C. Albini as Chief Financial Officer.
Albini has over 25 years experience in the life science industry and comes to Sutro having previously worked in various senior financial roles at Itero Biopharmaceuticals, Novacea, Lynx Therapeutics and over 14 years at Genentech.
William Newell, chief executive officer of Sutro Biopharma said of Albini: "He brings a tremendous skill set and depth of experience that will provide us with important insight and direction at this important stage for our company."
With over 30 years of experience in the health care industry, Randy Thurman has been appointed to Arno Therapeutic’s Board of Directors.
Thurman is also Executive Chairman at CogentHMG and previously founded Viasys Healthacre.
Glenn Mattes, CEO of Arno, said he was “confident that Mr. Thurman will provide Arno with invaluable guidance as we continue the development of our company and its exciting clinical stage assets."
Medical technology company BD has announced the election of Catherine M. Burzik to its Board of Directors.
Prior to BD, Burzik was CEO at Kinetic Concepts and has previously held senior positions at Applied Biosystems, Eastman Kodak and Johnson & Johnson.
CEO of BD, Vincent A. Forlenza said: "Cathy has a strong and diversified background in several key sectors of the healthcare industry, as well as extensive knowledge of the global healthcare arena. I know that she will make important strategic contributions to the Board as we evaluate the many opportunities BD has to continue innovating to improve healthcare around the world."
In other news:
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Peter D. Suzdak as its new CEO, succeeding Dr. Chang Ahn who moves on to the role of Chief Scientist.
Dr. Ahn said: “We are very excited to have Dr. Suzdak join Rexahn as its new CEO. Dr. Suzdak possesses the experience and stature to lead Rexahn to the next level of growth and development.”
Georgia Bio has appointed C. Russell Allen as its new President and CEO. Dr. Thomas Callaway, Chairman and Founder of Georgia Bio said: “We welcome Russell back to Georgia, and are confident that he will accelerate the expansion of our life sciences industry in the State.”
Dr. Alan Harris has been appointed Chief Medical Officer at Morria Biopharmaceuiticals after working at the company in a part-time capacity since July 2012. He will develop and lead the clinical development programs for Morria's Multi-Functional Anti-Inflammatory Drug candidates including MRX-4 in allergic rhinitis, and MRX-6 in dermatitis.
