Relevate Health Introduces New CEO
The HCP engagement company has tapped 25-year industry veteran Tim Pantello as its new CEO. Pantello was most recently the Global President of Syneos Health Communications, where he led a team of 1,300 employees across 13 agencies within the company, making him a global executive powerhouse. Pantello will take over for Jeff Spanbauer, Co-founder of Healthcare Regional Marketing (HRM), now Relevate Health.
Spanbauer comments, “It has been an honor leading Relevate Health from inception to industry leader. Our ongoing success is a testament to our talented Relevate Health colleagues, who excel in growing brands and delivering ROI. As our growth strategy progresses, I’m excited to begin my new role of Chairman and have a leader of Tim’s caliber join us in creating life-changing healthcare engagement. I am confident that Tim’s extraordinary track record will enhance success for both our clients and Relevate Health.” Pantello will spearhead the company’s mission, expanding its unique, data-driven marketing products, and specialized agency services.
Fingerpaint Looks to Grow with New CCO
Fingerpaint Group has brought on Leo Tarkovsky as its new Chief Commercial Officer as the company continues to expand its integrated commercialization capabilities across the entire lifecycle. Tarkovsky is an experienced business growth leader, joining Fingerpaint from WPP where he led enterprise-level healthcare growth efforts across all operating companies and disciplines worldwide. Prior to this, Tarkovsky served as Group President at IPG’s McCann Health, building and running several agencies within the company.
“Leo’s extensive understanding of the healthcare industry and the challenges our clients face, combined with his track record of growing companies, will ensure Fingerpaint Group continues on our current accelerated trajectory,” said Bill McEllen, Global President, Fingerpaint Group. Tarkovsky joins the company as it experiences a period of rapid growth, seeing a 200% increase in revenue over the past three years.
Alvotech
The global biotech company specializing in the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines appointed Sarah Tanksley to Chief Quality Officer. Tanksley has 20 years of experience in regulatory agency roles and is trusted to help regulate the company’s pipeline as it delivers high-quality, cost-effective products and services, enabled by a fully integrated approach and broad in-house capabilities.
Ambrx Biopharma Inc.
Daniel O’Connor has been appointed as the new CEO of the Engineered Precision Biologics (EPBs) company. O’Connor brings extensive leadership experience in oncology drug development, strategic partnership formation, and streamlining operations within the biotech industry. He will lead Ambrx’s new strategic direction as it focuses on development of ARX517, potentially the first PSMA-targeting ADC therapy for prostate cancer.
Assembly Biosciences
The clinical-stage biotechnology targeting hepatitis B virus and other viral diseases, elected Jason A. Okazaki, the company’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, as the new CEO. Okazaki will lead the company’s mission to drive next-generation core inhibitors in the clinic in parallel with its novel discovery programs.
BGB Group
The healthcare advertising, medical education, and strategic consulting agency named Fred Bennett as its first-ever Chief Digital Officer. Bennett will focus on leading and managing the digital teams within BGB Group and strengthening the agency’s long-term plan for leveraging new technologies, innovation, and customer insights to meet client needs, helping to shape the future of the firm.
Envision Pharma Group
A global, technology-enabled scientific communications company, Envision has brought on life sciences guru Mel Formica as its Head of Envision Value & Access. Formica will drive the growth and expansion of the Value & Access group, pursue service solution innovations, and spearhead the introduction of digital and data analytical capabilities that create impact and deliver value to life sciences client
Exagen Inc.
Andrew L. Concoff, MD, FACR, CAQSM has been named Chief Innovation Office of the autoimmune testing solutions provider. Dr. Concoff will lead Exagen’s rheumatoid arthritis medical initiatives, including the AVISE RADR platform, and will be a key leader in strategy, business development, portfolio management, pipeline prioritization, and formation of new business ventures. He is charged with the advancement of innovative access partnerships with payers and governments globally.
imre
imre has appointed Neera Chaudhary as its next CEO, while the agency’s founder, Dave Imre, moves to the role of Executive Chairman. Most recently serving as North America President of Ketchum, Chaudhary will lead imre’s next growth phase as a leading full-service AOR. She will be responsible for the agency’s business strategy and operations, talent, client engagements, and growth.
LEXEO Therapeutics
The clinical-stage biotech advancing a pipeline of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy candidates for cardiovascular and CNS diseases is expanding with the addition of Eric Adler, MD as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Adler will advance key programs to first-in-human studies and lead LEXEO’s preclinical pipeline, primarily focused in cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Adler joins the company along with a new Scientific Advisory Board comprised of molecular cardiology, cardiovascular imaging, cardiac gene-editing, and RNA biology experts.
Lipocine Inc.
The CNS-focused biopharma named George Nomikos, MD, PhD its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Nomikos takes the lead as the FDA gives Lipocine the green light for clinical trials establishing the efficacy of LPCN 1154 in postpartum depression (PPD) which, if approved, is expected to be the fastest-acting oral option for PPD with potential for out-patient use.
Merck
Robert M. Davis has been elected to succeed Kenneth C. Frazier, who has spent 30 years at Merck, as the new Chairman of the Board. Davis currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, joining the company in 2014. He has held executive leadership roles at big names including Baxter Medical Products and Eli Lilly & Co.
Novavax, Inc.
The next-gen vaccine developer has tapped Richard Rodgers, MBA as an Independent Director of the Board. The biopharma management expert will draw on extensive experience in building rapidly growing companies and providing financial leadership. Rodgers currently serves on the boards of Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., Sagimet Biosciences, Inc., and Ardelyx, Inc.
Reset Pharmaceuticals
Lisa Deschamps, MBA has joined the Board of Directors of the biotech company focused on novel clinical-stage treatments for patients with mental illnesses related to life-altering diseases. Deschamps is currently CEO and Board member of AviadoBio, and was previously SVP and Chief Business Officer of Novartis Gene Therapies, where she was responsible for strategic planning and worldwide commercialization of drugs in the gene therapy portfolio.
