Aesica has named Emma Mickley as VP of corporate business development.
Her new role is a step-up from her previous position within the CMO (contract manufacturing organization) as director of business development.
The company says she will help support plans for investments and growth in the US CMO sector in a bid to provide “a single point of contact” across the drug development spectrum.
Of her new role, Mickley said: “This is an exciting time to be representing Aesica in North America. This region is a key strategic priority for us for the foreseeable future and we are 100 per cent committed to shaping and positioning our business to meet the needs of mid-size and emerging pharma in Canada and The States.”
Patheon has formed a new CMC (chemistry and manufacturing controls) consultancy team in what it says is an effort to boost emerging biotech and pharma firms.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the firm said the service would “help address early, mid and late stage CMC questions in drug development—from strategic to practical.”
The controlled release formulation experts that form the group is comprised of:
- Green Ridge Consulting managing partner Leah Appel
- Depomed product development vet Brett Berner
- Zeeh Pharmaceutical Experiment Station consultant Lynn Van Campen
- Owner of Pharma-Fix Consulting Joe Fix
- Patheon’s Larry Gatlin
- Former Syntex and Allergan exec John Kent
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) member Bob Lipper
- Merck R&D VP Doug Mendenhall
- Former Boehringer-Ingelheim and Pfizer worker George Mooney
- Ann Newman, Vice President of R&D at Aptuit
- Partner at RPM PharmaRodney Pearlman
- And Mark Staples, who owns Cusp PharmaTech Consulting
“The team possess a remarkable depth and range of strategic and practical expertise that is unmatched by any other consulting service available today,” said a spokesperson.
More to follow on the new service with in-PharmaTechnologist’s interview withPatheon’s VP of sales and marketing Geoff Glass.
AstraZeneca’s David Brennan has resigned as CEO.
Of his decision, he said: David Brennan said: “After more than six years as CEO of this great company I have decided that now is the right time to step down and allow a new leader to take the reins.”
Executive Director and CFO Simon Lowth will serve as interim CEO until a permanent successor is found.
Brennan added: “The board’s decision to appoint Simon Lowth as interim Chief Executive Officer has my full support and I am confident that AstraZeneca will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of patients around the world and by doing so will deliver real value to our shareholders.”
Array BioPharma has drafted in Liam Ratcliffe to its board of directors.
Ratcliffe is also currently general partner at New Leaf Venture Partners, and formerly spent 12 years at Pfizer in the Neuroscience team.
Of his new role he said: “This is an important time for Array and I'm delighted to be part of the team.”
Kyle Lefkoff, Array chairman, added: “Liam brings to Array his world-class experience in the clinical development of our pain and inflammation portfolio.”
Respiratory specialist Vectura Group has appointed Trevor Phillips onto its board.
Before Vectura, Phillips – who was appointed COO of the firm in last year – was CEO and president of Critical Therapeutics.
Chairman Jack Cashman said: "We welcome Trevor's addition to the Board where his extensive industry experience in both European and US public listed pharmaceutical companies will be an asset to us as we evolve on the next stage of growth, positioning ourselves as a key player in the respiratory market."