ViRexx, Aesica, Velcura Therapeutics, Helix BioPharma and Avalon Pharmaceuticals - People on the move

ViRexx, Aesica, Velcura Therapeutics, Helix BioPharma and Avalon Pharmaceuticals have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Erich Bam has been appointed as interim chief operating officer at biotech firm ViRexx Medical .

Taking over responsibility immediately, Bam brings experience from over 20 years in private and publicly traded companies, with particular knowledge of general management, corporate finance, corporate restructuring and refinancing.

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) specialist Aesica has announced a number of new appointments at its UK base this week.

Lal Khan takes over the role of Business Development Manager at the pharmaceutical manufacturer, joining the company from DSM Pharma Chemicals.

He previously held sales and technical positions at BASF, Lambson Group, Sun Chemicals and Zeneca.

The company also has a new commercial director in the form of Alan Raymond , who has joined the company permanently following a period working for the firm in an interim role.

Keith Payne is coming on board as sales and marketing director for formulated products, moving from his previous role at NextPharma, and Ian Mains will be joining as the firm's new corporate services manager.

Mains brings experience from working with the North East Process Industry Cluster, a consortium of 200 companies based in North East England, as well as time at BASF and the Boots Group.

Velcura Therapeutics has a new head of regulatory affairs, with Jeffrey Fellows taking over the vice president position.

In his new role, Fellows will be responsible for clinical trial applications, regulatory compliance and interactions with federal authorities.

He previously held senior regulatory posts at Cell Therapeutics and Amgen, and also worked for NeoRx and Synergen.

Helix BioPharma this week announced the resignation of its chairman and company director, Jerome McElroy , who will be leaving the company to pursue his retirement interests.

McElroy has been with the company over 10 years, and will receive a lump sum and series of payments as part of his retirement package.

Avalon Pharmaceuticals has also lost a member of the board, as Alan Walton last week tendered his resignation.

71 year old Walton will depart the board effective November 1, after serving as company chairman from 1999 until July of this year when Bradley Lorimer took over the role.

The company has initiated a search to find Walton's replacement for the board.