News from Daiichi Sankyo, Galenea and Lannett – People on the move

in-PharmaTechnologist.com presents its weekly round-up of the latest movers and shakers in the world of pharmaceuticals, including news from Daiichi Sankyo, Galenea and Lannett.

Jan Van Ruymbeke has been named CEO of Daiichi Sankyo Europe.

Previously, Van Ruymbeke was executive VP for Daiichi’s Latin American arm. He takes on the position as a replacement for Reinhard Bauer, who is retiring after 10 years.

Bauer said: “We are really pleased that we were able to hire Jan Van Ruymbeke to be the next chief executive of Daiichi Sankyo Europe. Thanks to his extensive experience in many countries, he is the ideal candidate to lead Daiichi Sankyo Europe’s internationally focused business.”

Ed Tabor has joined Fresenius Kabi as VP of regulatory affairs in North America.

The former Quintiles exec has authored more than 300 articles, including the recent RAPS (Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society) paper titled ‘Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for US Drug Development’, which he discussed with us in last month’s podcast.

Synaptic transmission specialist Galenea Corp has drafted Timothy Ryan onto its scientific advisory board.

He is currently a professor of biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medical College.

“Since most central nervous system disorders involve dysfunction of synaptic transmission, Galenea's drug discovery platform to target this process is an exciting approach that should yield a number of therapeutic candidates for multiple diseases,” he said.

“I look forward to helping Galenea discover these treatments.”

Onyx Pharmaceuticals has named John Osborn as senior VP of global corporate affairs.

Previously, he was executive VP, general counsel and secretary at Dendreon Corporation.

In his new role he will take charge of the firm’s public and government affairs, as well as key stakeholder relationships.

"As a lawyer, policy advocate and former diplomat, John brings a diverse and extensive background to Onyx, with broad experience across the life sciences industry and the US government," said CEO Anthony Coles.

Jeffrey Farber has become vice chairman of the board for Lannett.

Farber – who is also president of Auburn Pharmaceutical – has been a director for the generics maker since 2006.

He succeeds Ronald West who has been forced to step down for health reasons. He will however, remain on the board.

AstraZeneca has confirmed that former CEO David Brennan will receive a £914,000 ($1.5m) golden handshake“in lieu of contractual notice, representing 11 months’ base pay.”

The remuneration details have been released following Brennan’s departure this June.

A committee determined that the share awards made to Brennan in 2011 and 2012 under the AstraZeneca performance share plan and the investment plan should be forfeited, but that he will receive payments from 2010 if the “relevant performance conditions are met.”

The estimated gross value of the 2010 awards totals approximately £1.5 million.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals has named former Pfizer pulmonary vascular disease director Mark Morris as head of biostatistics.

In the newly created position, he will oversee the statistical design of the company's human clinical trials.

Steven Mento, president and CEO said: "His broad experience in drug development including the hepatology field will be particularly important as we move forward with the development of emricasan, our caspase inhibitor, targeted as a treatment for a variety of fibrotic diseases."