News from Eli Lilly, Roche, and Merck – People on the move
Eli Lilly has shuffled its leadership team after the retirement of Lilly Bio-Medicines leader Bryce Carmine, and the head of global manufacturing operations Frank Deane.
John Lechleiter, the firm’s chairman, president, and CEO, described Carmine and Deane as "pillars of the company who have had a lasting, worldwide impact on our people and our business.”
Replacing Carmine is former president of Lilly USA Dave Ricks, who will take the role of senior VP and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines.
He will be succeeded as Lilly USA president by Alex Azar, who has beenVP of US managed healthcare services and Puerto Rico since 2009.
Deane’s replacement is Maria Crowe, who was previously Lilly’s senior VP for global drug product manufacturing.
Lechleiter added: "We'll certainly miss Bryce and Frank and the extraordinary leadership they provided.
"At the same time, we're very fortunate to have talented leaders who are well-prepared and ready to step into these critical roles."
Roche has named Harsukh Parmar as the new head of translational and experimental medicine (TM) for the inflammation discovery and translational area.
Harsukh joins Roche from Astra Zeneca where he was VP and global head of early clinical development in the respiratory and inflammation therapeutic area.
In his new position – based at the company’s Nutley, US, division – he will be take charge of TM’s role in delivering first-in-class compounds to the lifecycle investment point.
Of his new appointment, Jacques Banchereau, Nutley's chief scientific officer said: “He will provide valuable expertise and advice on target selection and the development of early stage compounds in our Inflammation pipeline."
Merck has announced that its chairman Richard Clark will retire from the company and the board of directors.
The news comes after Clark stepped down from his role as president and CEO, handing over to Kenneth Frazier. In his stead, Frazier will also become chairman.
Clark said: "I have been a part of Merck for more than 39 years – I always have and always will consider Merck to be an important part of my life and my extended family.”
The Council of Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals (CORAR) has selected Michael Guastella as its new executive director.
He replaces founding executive director Henry Kramer, who will retire later this year.
Guastella was most recently theVP of marketing and product development for the Nuclear Pharmacy Business of Cardinal Health – a position he held for seven years.
John Butler has become the new CEO at Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals.
The company is the only biopharma focused exclusively on the development and commercialisation of new treatment options for people with hemophilia.
Butler has more than 20 years experience in the field of commercialisation for innovative therapies.
He replaces Michael Griffith, who will become chief scientific officer, and will remain as president at Inspiration.