Ex-Novartis CEO Joins Flagship Pioneering
Former CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, David Epstein joins Flagship Pioneering as Executive Partner where he will begin work with Rubius Therapeutics, a red blood cell-focused exploratory venture founded by Flagship, as Chairman of the Board. Epstein’s career spans 25 years in the industry, and he was the force behind the start up of Novartis’ Oncology and Molecular Diagnostic units. In this role, Novartis’ Oncology business grew to become the second largest Oncology business globally.
“David is a leader and long-time pioneer within the pharma industry, having developed dozens of new medicines benefiting millions of patients around the world,” said Noubar Afeyan, PhD, Founder and CEO of Flagship. “His progressive approach to science and business acumen gleaned over his tenured career in the pharmaceutical industry complements Flagship’s culture and team. We will apply his expertise broadly as we continue making and realizing the maximum potential of disruptive innovations that yield unprecedented therapies.”
Mike Collette Returns as PatientPoint CEO
The original founder and CEO of PatientPoint, Mike Collette, returns as CEO of the patient and physician education company. Collette previously co-founded On Target Media and later PatientPoint, serving as CEO until 2012. Collette also serves as Executive-in-Residence at CincyTech, where he helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into high-growth technology companies.
“Every person on the PatientPoint team is passionate about the meaningful impact our patient education programs have on patient lives,” Collette states. “With that kind of enthusiasm fueling the company, it was an easy decision for me to take the helm again to maintain the innovative, entrepreneurial culture PatientPoint has demonstrated for nearly 30 years now.”
Bayer
Volker Koch-Achelpöhler, currently Director General of the German Crop Protection and Fertilizer Association (IVA), based in Frankfurt, Germany, was appointed new head of Bayer’s EU Liaison Office in Brussels, Belgium. Having 11 years service at IVA prepared Koch-Achelpöhler to represent Bayer’s position on all political issues at the various EU institutions.
BioPharmX
Charles Gregory Vontz joined the Board of Directors as an independent director for BioPharmX, a dermatological specialty pharmaceutical company. A specialty pharma veteran, Vontz has more than 30 years of experience, most recently serving as President and CEO of Topica Pharmaceuticals and as President and COO of Connetics Corporation prior to that.
Bioventus
A global leader in orthobiologic solutions, Bioventus names John Nosenzo as Chief Commercial Officer. With more than 25 years of sales and marketing leadership in pharmaceuticals and medical diagnostics, Nosenzo will lead all global sales and distributor management functions, in addition to global marketing for the Active Healing Therapies business to expand market access for the company’s products.
EMD Serono
Formerly VP and U.S. Head of Sales & Operations of Novartis’ cardiovascular franchise, Richard R. Smith joins Merck’s EMD Serono as Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Fertility and Endocrinology. In this role, Smith will oversee the Fertility and Endocrinology businesses in the U.S., including the U.S. Fertility Technologies division.
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline appointed Luke Miels as President, Global Pharmaceuticals. Miels currently serves as Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca’s European business and was previously Executive Vice President, Global Product and Portfolio Strategy, Global Medical Affairs and Corporate Affairs.
Intouch Solutions
Promoted Hattie Stearns to Associate Creative Director, Design. She most recently served as Senior Art Director for the company. Stearns will manage projects throughout the creative lifecycle. Additionally, Stearns works with the company’s account services teams.
Motif Bio
Robert Dickey IV has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Motif Bio, an antibiotics manufacturer. Previously, Dickey served as Chief Financial Officer of Tyme Technologies and as a leader at NeoStem, Hemispherx Biopharma, Stemcyte, Locus Pharmaceuticals, and Protarga.
Narrative Health
Lucy Oates joins the global healthcare market research company as Research Director. Previously, Oates was a Senior Market Insight Analyst at Merck KGaA and an Associate Director at Cello Health Insight, where she was responsible for managing account and business development as well as leading market research campaigns.
Targovax
Targovax, a clinical stage company focused on developingimmuno-oncology therapies to target solid tumors, appointed Erik Digman Wiklund, PhD as Chief Financial Officer. Wiklund joins from the nutraceutical company, Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS, where he was Director of Product Innovation. In his new role, Wiklund’s experience will be key in helping to expand the company’s innovative pipeline.
TGaS Advisors
TGaS appoints Tom Goga as Vice President of Field Operations, and Rich Waite as Vice President of Commercial Learning and Development. Previously, Goga was Vice President of Sales at Pernix Therapeutics and spent more than 20 years at Merck. Waite formerly served as Vice President, Learning and Performance Solutions at Delta Point Inc.
Tonic Life Communications
Tonic Life Communications appointed Stephanie DeViteri to Managing Director, Philadelphia. In her new role, Stephanie will assume responsibilities for managing and growing the U.S. headquarters, which will include sustaining client partnerships along with talent and business development. Stephanie has nearly 15 years of healthcare public relations experience.
Voyager Therapeutics
Voyager Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing life-changing treatments for severe diseases of the central nervous system, appoints Jane Pritchett Henderson as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Henderson brings more than 28 years of life sciences industry and banking experience and leadership to her new role. She most recently served as Chief Financial and Business Officer of Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
