Pharma Jobs: New Chief Exec at MHRA
We begin this week with a new Chief Executive at the UK’s regulatory body, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Dr. Ian Hudson will take the reins from September when Sir Kent Woods steps down after ten years with the Agency, and is currently the MHRA’s Licensing Director, responsible for the majority of medicines licensing activities.
The UK’s Health Minister, Lord Howe, said: “Dr. Hudson is used to working to the highest possible standards and maintaining the very toughest scrutiny over a fast-moving industry and I am confident he will find this role a deeply rewarding challenge.”
And read here about the MHRA’s policy regarding the recent API import regulations that began last week.
Staying in the UK, and the BioIndustry Association (BIA) has elected a new Chairman in the guise of Dr. Edward Hodgkin, taking over from Tim Edwards, who will step down at the October Board meeting following three years as BIA Chairman.
Edwards welcomed his replacement to the role, adding: “His experience in the UK life sciences sector will be of great benefit to the organisation and its members. The BIA continues to be the leading advocacy group for the UK's innovative bioscience companies of all sizes, and I thank Steve and his team for all their work on behalf of our members.”
And the BIA recently spoke to in-Pharmatechnologist.com regarding this year’s budget and how the UK was looking attractive for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Read about it here.
Orexo US, a subsidiary of Swedish specialty pharma company Orexo, has appointed Robert DeLuca as President.
Deluca has had leadership roles for a number of companies including Sanofi, Schering-Plough, Berlex, Pharmacia and most recently as Chief Commercial Officer at Archimedes Pharma.
“Establishing a commercial presence in the US is a key milestone towards the launch of Zubsolv and I am particularly pleased that we have succeeded in recruiting Mr. DeLuca to establish and lead our US subsidiary and the launch of Zubsolv,” – Orexo’s proprietary opioid dependence therapy - said CEO Nikolaj Sørensen.
“He brings extensive experience in establishing commercial operations in the US and his background in managed care will be a major asset to ensure a successful launch of Zubsolv.”
And finally this week we have news from Warp Drive Bio, a life sciences company using proprietary genomic technology to transform the discovery and development of natural product drugs.
The firm has made three new appointments of “proven, renowned and tenacious drug discovery and development experts,” according to founding CEO, Alexis Borisy, who becomes Executive Chairman of the Board.
His position will be taken by Dr. Gregory Verdine, who has over 25 years of experience in the field of drug discovery and development, including forming several biotech companies and being global consultants for Hoffmann-La Roche.
Furthermore, Dr. James Nichols – former President and CEO of Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals – takes the role of chief operating officer, and Dr. Julian Adams – currently president, research and development at Infinity Pharmaceuticals – has joined the Board of Directors.
