Novartis Names Global Head Ethics and Compliance
Mike Rivas was promoted to Global Head Ethics and Compliance, Cell & Gene Therapies Unit (C>U) at Novartis. He joined the company in 2007 as the Director of Sales Operations in Oncology, and later worked as Director of Marketing Excellence and Director of Regulatory Compliance. In 2014, Rivas served as the ad-interim Global Compliance Officer for Oncology. A 27-year veteran within the pharmaceutical industry, he has previously worked at Mead Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche Laboratories Inc., Sanofi-Synthélabo and Sanofi-Aventis.
During his career, Rivas worked in sales, sales management, regional management, geographic information systems, market analysis, managed markets, marketing, sales operations, marketing excellence and compliance. Rivas brings his broad portfolio of both business and compliance experience to this newly created position within the C>U. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of PM360 Magazine.
Chiasma Announces New CEO
Chiasma, a biopharma company focused on developing oral medications for treatments that were previously only available via injection, named Mark Leuchtenberger the company’s new President and CEO. Leuchtenberger will lead the company as it prepares for the U.S. launch of octreotide capsules for adults with acromegaly, a rare endocrine disease.
“Mark brings a depth of business experience and leadership that will complement the scientific expertise within Chiasma,” David Stack, Chairman of the Board for Chiasma, said in a statement. “He has a strong track record for building the infrastructure needed for commercialization success in North America and Europe and will be instrumental in guiding Chiasma’s first product to market.”
Adaptive Biotechnologies
The diagnostic-driven company welcomed Chad Cohen to its Board of Directors as Chair of the Audit Committee. Cohen currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Zillow Group. Since 2006, Chad has built the company’s core finance, treasury and accounting functions, and led the finance organization through Zillow’s IPO and nine acquisitions. In 2013, he was named Puget Sound Business Journal’s CFO of the year.
CMK Select
The pharmaceutical and life sciences consulting firm hired Frank Saia as Vice President, Business Development. Saia has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, most recently serving as the General Manager for Group DCA. He will be responsible for building the business development organization.
HealthTell
The early-stage life sciences company appointed John Galgiani, MD, and Chaim Putterman, MD, as Clinical Advisors. Dr. Galgiani is the Director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence and has 35 years of experience in medical mycology. Dr. Putterman serves as a Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
InMed Pharmaceuticals
The biopharmaceutical company named Ado Mohammed, MD, DPM, MFPM, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Mohammed will help to develop the clinical trial strategy for the company’s pipeline of cannabinoid-based therapies, including its two clinical stage programs, CTI-085 and CTI-091.
ESSA Pharma Inc.
Appointed Franklin Berger to the company’s Board of Directors in recognition of his expertise in sell-side equity research. Berger currently serves on the Board of Directors of three public biotechnology companies: Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., Immune Design Corp. and Bellus Health, Inc.
KemPharm, Inc.
A clinical-stage specialty company named Tracy M. Woody as Chief Commercial Officer. Woody brings more than 20 years of commercial experience building businesses for both emerging and established pharmaceutical, biotechnology and drug delivery companies to KemPharm.
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals
Greg Madison, the company’s President, Chief Operating Officer and incoming Chief Executive Officer was added to its Board of Directors. Madison will transition to the role of CEO by the end of May 2015. He has more than 20 years of experience in the pharma industry.
MISSION Therapeutics
Appointed Paul Wallace, PhD, as Chief Business Officer. With nearly 20 years in business development roles within drug discovery companies, he will be responsible for building partnerships in the industry. Prior to this role, he held the positions as Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development at Medivir AB.
Moderna Therapeutics
Moderna Therapeutics appointed Tal Zaks, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer. Prior to joining Moderna, Dr. Zaks was the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Oncology at Sanofi. In his new role, he will oversee therapeutic developments and expansion as the company prepares to initiate several clinical trials.
Parata Systems
The leading technology solution provider added Emilie Ray to its Board of Directors. Currently, Ray serves as President of McKesson’s Pharmacy Systems & Automation segment. She joined McKesson in 2000 and has held numerous leadership roles at the company.
Precision Advisors
Rachelle Wan joins Precision Advisors as Senior Vice President. During her 20 years in the industry, Wan worked with Prime Therapeutics, Amgen and CVS/Caremark. In her new position, she will lead the team of payer advisors.
Relmada Therapeutics
The specialty pharma company recruited Michael E. Thase, MD, and Eric C. Strain, MD, as scientific advisors. Dr. Thase’s research focuses on the assessment and treatment of mood disorders. He is also a professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University at Pennsylvania. Dr. Strain is the Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Research and a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
SQI Diagnostics
Appointed Lennie Ryer, CPA, CA, CFE, Chief Financial Officer. Prior to SQI, Ryer held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance at ConjuChem Biotechnologies Inc. In his new role, Ryer will help to ensure the future growth and further expansion of SQI proprietary technologies.
