Appointments at Watson Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Lupin and AmerisourceBergen – People on the move

in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Watson Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Lupin and AmerisourceBergen.

Sigurdur Oli Olafsson has joined Watson Pharmaceuticals as executive vice president (EVP), global generics. Olafsson has been CEO of Actavis and also worked at Pfizer and Omega Farma.

Watson has also promoted Robert Stewart to the position of EVP, global operations. Stewart joined Watson in November 2009 after working at Abbott Laboratories for eight years where he held a number of supply chain and manufacturing roles.

Cytomedix has appointed Patrick Vanek to the newly created position of VP of operations. Vanek has previously held operations and manufacturing positions at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, KV Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth and Lemmon Company, a Teva subsidiary.

Paul McGarty has been named as president of Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the US subsidiary of Lupin. McGarty last worked as CEO of Nycomed and has also served on the board of directors at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA).

AmerisourceBergen has promoted Barbara Brungess to VP, corporate and investor relations. Brungess joined AmerisourceBergen 10 years ago and will now succeed Michael Kilpatric.

Gráinne Higgins has joined Shire as GVP of human resources for its human genetic therapies (HGT) business. Higgins has more than 20 years of experience working at companies including Merck & Co and Schering-Plough.

Signum Biosciences has appointed Braham Shroot as CEO. Shroot is the former chief scientific officer of Barrier Therapeutics. He replaces Gregory Stock, who will remain on the board of directors, as CEO.

Naina Bhasin has been named as VP of business development and operations at the Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences. Bhasin joined the organisation in 2008 and has previously worked at CellzDirect.