This month’s announcements about industry hires, promotions, alliances and other important events includes Merck, Lonza, Medable and other key firms.
This month’s announcements about industry hires, promotions, alliances and other important events include news from Merck, Lonza, Medable and other key firms.
Merck has announced that its chair and CEO Kenneth Frazier plans to retire from his position, effective June 30. Frazier, who will continue to serve as executive chair on the company board of directors, will be replaced by Robert Davis (current executive vice president of global services and CFO).
Frazier has been with Merck since 1992, when he joined the company’s public affairs division as general counsel, then rose through the ranks to become chair and CEO in 2011. Les Brun, Merck’s lead independent director, said, “Ken’s vision and courage to make difficult changes within Merck, while steadfastly investing in research and development, have positioned Merck well for sustainable future growth. Under Ken’s leadership, Merck has delivered many innovative lifesaving medicines and vaccines, including Keytruda, Gardasil 9, and Bridion; and also focused on other key growth drivers, such as Lynparza, Lenvima, and animal health to create long-term value for its shareholders and other stakeholders.”
Lonza has inked an agreement to divest its specialty ingredients business to Bain Capital and Cinven, for an enterprise value of $4.7b USD. According to the company, the sale will empower Lonza to refocus its business in service to the healthcare industry.
Lonza chair Albert Baehny said, “Bain Capital and Cinven have shown they understand the value of the experience and expertise of our specialty ingredients employees. They presented the most compelling industrial strategy and vision for the business; they are also keen to prioritize R&D and innovation, as well as to invest in existing facilities to unlock the potential of the business.”
Medable has named Parag Vaish as its chief product officer. Vaish brings to the company a track record of product innovation in a number of markets for companies that include Tesla, Epocrates (part of athenahealth), Google, Disney and Microsoft.
“Medable is creating a new category of enterprise software that will transform the clinical trial experience for patients, sites and sponsors, while using research data to drive breakthrough insights and massive improvements in drug development,” said Dr. Michelle Longmire, CEO and co-founder of Medable. “Parag brings the transformative thinking and product leadership that aligns with our disruptive vision.”
Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI) has appointed Scott Waldman senior vice president of corporate development. In his new role, Waldman is charged driving global growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions.
“We are delighted to welcome Scott to the AMRI organization to lead this critical function,” said John Ratliff, AMRI CEO. “Scott has built an impressive track record of delivering growth throughout his career; he knows the space and understands the inherent complexities of our business. I’m confident that Scott will be a key contributor to AMRI’s continued growth journey.”
Clinical research organization Greater Gift will donate $2,000 each to a number of North Carolina charities in honor of patients participating in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership Study. In addition to the Second Harvest Food Bank, organizations to receive the gifts once their specific benchmarks are reached include The Twenty, theHispanic League, HUSTLE Winston Salem, and Alpha Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Executive director Lilly Skok Bunch said, “Greater Gift is passionate about engaging underrepresented populations in clinical research and building trustworthiness to populations who traditionally and understandably are reluctant to participate in clinical research. By making donations to support our partners in the community, we hope to build bridges and ultimately trustworthiness across communities.”
Trial tech company Signant Health has appointed Sanjiv Waghmare as chief product officer. In his new role, Waghmare will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s clinical research science and technology, with emphasis on solutions that support growth in virtual, remote, decentralized, and hybrid clinical trials.
“Signant is a clear leader at delivering software and services that support evidence generation across patients, sites, and clinical supply management,” Waghmare commented. “I look forward to continuing to drive that vision with a holistic approach to product development that will serve customers across traditional and decentralized trials."
Healthcare solutions provider AmerisourceBergen has unveiled its rebranding effort, intended to reflect its mission “drive growth through innovation and consistent pursuit to create healthier futures.” The rebranding includes a new logo, website (www.amerisourcebergen.com) and refreshed design.
Matthew Webb, senior vice president of marketing for AmerisourceBergen, said, “Our new brand reflects the role we play in healthcare and boldly expresses who we are and what we stand for at AmerisourceBergen.”
The Decentralized Trials and Research Alliance has welcomed Firma Clinical and MMS Holdings to its membership roster. The group, launched in late 2020, aims to bring together various stakeholders to build awareness of, increase access to, and advance technologies in decentralized studies.
Michael Woods, Firma Clinical CEO, said, “As a company that has been a leader in patient centricity, Firma is pleased to be a member of DTRA and join this important initiative to advance decentralized research and make the clinical trial process more patient focused while increasing trial efficiency.”
Eric Harvey, MMS’s director of biostatics and data science, said, “As a specialized data services and technologies provider, MMS will help guide the life sciences industry into an exciting future where decentralized trials and research help the world find treatments and cures at a more rapid pace.”
MedPharm has launched a Scientific Advisory Committee, to be headed by founder and board member Marc Brown. Brown, who has served as the company’s chief scientific officer for 20 years, will be replaced in that role by current chief technology officer Jon Lenn.
Eugene Ciolfi, MedPharm president and CEO, said of Brown, “With his support as chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, we will continue our pioneering standard and remain the world leader in the topical and transdermal CDMO field.”
Data-centric CRO Quanticate has named Lee Patterson as the new chief operating officer. His previous experience includes tenures at companies such as Covance, Pathfinder Protek, Sanofi and Biomen Diagnostics.
David Underwood, chair and CEO of Quanticate, said, “Quanticate has experienced strong growth in recent years and Lee’s expertise will enable us to grow further and ensure our reputation for being trusted by top pharmaceutical companies and delivering a high-quality service remains.”
Rare-disease solutions specialist Raremark has named Caroline O’Connor chief commercial officer. Previously serving as senior vice president of business development, she now will oversee the company’s commercial focus.
Jeremy Edwards, Raremark CEO, said, “I’m thrilled to name Caroline as our CCO; since joining the organization, her depth of industry knowledge and experience in motivating teams has made a significant impact. I’m confident she will lead us into the next exciting phase of our growth journey.”