Raptor Pharmaceutical has hired Kathlene Powell to fill the newly created position of vice president (VP), quality operations. Powell has worked with Raptor as a consultant and has now joined the company full-time.
Before joining Raptor, Powell worked at Pacific BioDevelopment for nine years. Over a 20 year career Powell has also worked at Diosynth-RTP and Genentech.
Christopher Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi-aventis, has resumed his role as board chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The news was confirmed at the annual meeting of PhRMA in New Jersey, US.
Other news from the event included John Lechleiter, CEO of Eli Lilly, being named chairman-elect of the PhRMA board of directors. Robert Hugin, CEO of Celgene, was elected as board treasurer at PhRMA.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has added Abe Friedman to its proposed list of directors to repkace the board at Cephalon. Earlier this month Cephalon rejected a $5.7bn (€4.0bn) takeover bid from Valeant. Former BlackRock exec Friedman joins seven other directors put forward by Valeant.
"We continue to believe that Cephalon stockholders have the right to determine the merits of Valeant's offer and Cephalon's poison pill denies them that opportunity”, said Michael Pearson, CEO of Valeant.
Neil Gibson has been named chief scientific officer at Regulus Therapeutics. Gibson has 17 years of pharma experience from working at Pfizer, OSI Pharmaceuticals and Bayer.
Symphogen has strengthened its management team with two new hires. Ivan Horak joins from Enzon as chief scientific and medical officer. Gayle Mills, formerly of Roxro Pharma, has been hired as chief business officer.
Stanley Erck has been appointed president and CEO of Novavax. Erck is the company’s former executive chairman and will remain on the board of directors. Current board member James Young will succeed Erck as chairman of the board.