Agency Veteran Karen Newmark Takes on Growing POC Industry
The Point of Care Communication Council (PoC3), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for the effective use of the point of care channel to advance health outcomes, names Karen Newmark as its new Executive Director. With over 17 years experience in both brand and agency settings, Newmark will lead PoC3 through a time of unprecedented growth for the POC industry. Specializing in pharmaceutical/healthcare, digital, and consumer marketing, Newmark is well equipped to expand the number of PoC3 member companies, establish a Provider Advisory Council, as well as develop and implement a strategic plan to help ensure the channel’s continued growth.
“Karen has helped so many brands exceed launch goals and establish a firm, differentiated position in the marketplace,” said PoC3 Co-Chair Eric Jensen in a statement. “Her invaluable blend of client and agency experience and perspective as a POC buyer make her uniquely suited for this role. We’re looking forward to her hitting the ground running to serve our client, agency, and provider stakeholders.” One immediate area of focus: Collaborating with the organization’s Industry Advisory Council to build consensus around POC measurement, auditing, and verification standards.
Inflazome Taps Novartis Executive Scientist
Thomas Jung, MD, PhD, joins Inflazome, the research and development experts focused on filling gaps in treatment for inflammatory disease, as its new Chief Medical Officer to lead clinical development of its potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors, part of the NLRP3 inhibitors for inflammatory diseases. Dr. Jung will oversee the company’s global operations related to the development of Inflazome’s lead and next-generation compounds across a range of therapeutic indications.
Dr. Matt Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of Inflazome, tweeted about the appointment, “Dr. Jung has a long and successful track record in guiding pioneering medicines to the market. He brings significant breadth and depth in clinical immunology to the team. We look forward to working together to drive our novel immunotherapies through clinical trials to benefit patients affected by harmful inflammation.”
Dr. Jung previously worked 13 years at Novartis’ Biochemical Research Institute.
Axovant
After switching gears from Alzheimer’s therapy to gene editing, Axovant hires a new Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Operations, Parag Meswani, PharmD. Previously, Meswani served Spark as leader of U.S. Marketing and Diagnostics, leading brand strategy for the gene therapy, Luxturna. Now, he will help Axovant to quickly and effectively deliver on the company’s potentially best-in-class gene therapy pipeline.
Beam Therapeutics
The Massachusetts-based biotech company appoints Carole Ho, MD, current Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at Denali Therapeutics, to its own Board of Directors. Dr. Ho will draw upon over 15 years experience as a clinical neurologist, neuroscientist, and leader in biopharmaceutical drug development to advance the development of base editors as a new class of precision genetic medicines.
Brickell Biotech
The skin-disease focused biotech company taps Eli Lilly executive, Robert Brown, to be its new CEO. Brown leaves his 30-year career at Eli Lilly, where he was Chief Marketing Officer and Senior VP, to help launch trials of sofpironium bromide and submit it for FDA approval. He also plans to evaluate new drugs for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, psoriasis, and allergic contact dermatitis.
Evoke
The leading health marketing, media, and communications agency hires a number of new creative executives, including Collette Douaihy, Chief Creative Officer and Michael Cole, Chief Strategy Officer. An industry veteran with over 28 years experience, Douaihy will lead cross-office creative teams. She previously led such initiatives at Digitas Health. With more than 18 years experience, most recently at WPP Health & Wellness as Chief Strategy Officer and as Chief Client Officer for WPP’s integrated agency Team Pfizer, Cole will lead Evoke’s integrated strategic offerings. Together, the new executives will provide new ways to solve bigger problems and do better work in today’s complex healthcare communications landscape.
Fingerpaint
The full-service marketing agency is bolstering its team in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania with 20 new hires, including Molly Hudish, Brand Strategy, and Kim Denker, Marketing Automation. Hudish leaves her five-year position as Strategic Marketing Manager at Johnson & Johnson to lead new product innovation and go-to-market planning, creative campaign strategy, and execution. Denker brings over eight years experience as a database and marketing specialist—especially in email campaigns.
Four Communications
Formerly known as Insight Public Affairs, Four Communications bolsters its Public Affairs team with the appointment of Sarah Jones, who will now lead the health department as Managing Director. Jones, who joined the agency as Deputy Managing Director four years ago, will continue working across the company’s market access, corporate communications, and campaign functions.
David Feinberg, MD takes over Google’s healthcare efforts after serving as Geisinger President and CEO for the past four years. He will now work with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to develop a cohesive strategy for Google’s various health and health-adjacent enterprises, including through-home automation and wearables. Dr. Feinberg previously worked in health tech, most recently with Merck on EHR programs designed to boost medication adherence and help connect patients and providers.
Incyte
Former Janssen Research & Development’s global head of discovery, Dashyant Dhanak, PhD, is joining Incyte as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Dhanak will lead Incyte’s research for new indications for Jakafi (ruxolitinib) in graft-versus-host disease and essential thrombocythemia. Prior to joining Janssen in 2013, Dr. Dhanak spent 25 years at GlaxoSmithKline, ultimately becoming VP and Head of its Cancer Epigenetics Discovery Performance Unit.
McCann Health
The agency giant appoints Samantha Taylor to lead its GlaxoSmithKline business. She will be responsible for leading the client’s business across multiple markets, including the U.S. and Europe. She plans to provide the highest level of talent, across McCann’s strategic and creative offering, to drive the continued success of GSK at a global level. Previously, Taylor served as Global Client Lead for Galderma Acne & Aesthetics franchises at Publicis Health.
Solaris Health
The specialty healthcare communications agency promotes Marian Byrt to Client Partnership Director, with responsibility to continue her hands-on work and drive the Solaris Health offering, which combines specialist scientific knowledge with strong creative thinking. She will take on the development of long-term strategic partnerships with current clients and engage with new clients across all business areas.
