AbelsonTaylor Group Fills New Production Position
The health and wellness advertising agency created a new position of Director of Integrated Production for new hire Joy Holbrook. Having been an independent producer for AbelsonTaylor in the past, Holbrook is joining the team to take on the full-time responsibilities of overseeing broadcast production workflow, collaborating across agency teams to assess creative and resource needs as well as hiring and training staff.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joy to AbelsonTaylor Group for her skills in developing strong client, agency, and vendor relationships, building talented creative teams, and delivering superior content,” said Dan Zigulich, SVP and Director of Integrated Content and Production. “She is an extraordinary producer and will be a significant asset as the agency continues to create new and innovative approaches that optimize multiple media channels and platforms.”
Dermavant Appoints New Director of Marketing
Dermavant has brought on John Darden as VP of Marketing. Darden will oversee Dermavant’s marketing and branding efforts and shape communications strategies that will expand and amplify the company as a leader in the immuno-dermatology space. Darden has spent 15 years in the dermatology and immunology space, most recently serving as Executive Director, Marketing and U.S. Brand Lead at Amgen, where he oversaw HCP, consumer, and field-based marketing strategies for Otezla (apremilast) tablet.
“We are thrilled to have John join Dermavant as our new VP of Marketing during a pivotal time in the company’s growth,” said Chris Chapman, Chief Commercial Officer at Dermavant. “John’s deep experience in leading a blockbuster brand in a highly competitive market speaks to his experience and leadership. Dermavant is built on innovation, and the addition of John strengthens our commercial strategy and execution. We are committed to continued innovation and bringing solutions to both providers and their patients suffering from inflammatory skin conditions.”
Abivax
Abivax, a clinical-stage, novel therapeutics company, appointed Patrick Malloy as its new Senior Vice President Investor Relations. With 20 years of investor relations and commercial leadership experience, he is expected to help further the strategic international positioning of Abivax and obefazimod with the investor community. Malloy joins Abivax from VectivBio AG, acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals this year.
ACELYRIN
Shephard Mpofu, MD, MRCP, FRCP has left his nearly 20-year tenure at Novartis AG to join ACELYRIN as Senior Vice President of Development. He will be responsible for leading clinical development as well as translational sciences. Dr. Mpofu most recently served as Chief Medical Officer for the Novartis Gene Therapy Franchise and is a globally recognized expert in the immunology, rheumatology, and dermatology space.
Anebulo Pharmaceuticals
The biopharma exploring novel therapies for acute cannabinoid intoxication announced the appointment of new CEO Richie Cunningham. Cunningham is going to lead the company through phase 3 development of ANEB-001, a small molecule cannabinoid receptor antagonist that may rapidly reverse symptoms of acute cannabinoid intoxication. Cunningham boasts 20 years of experience as a biopharma leader, previously serving as CEO of Tyme and CEO of Icagen before that.
Eli Lilly
In the wake of its new diabetes therapy, Mounjaro, Eli Lilly is restructuring its executive leadership and appointed a new head of obesity and diabetes, Patrik Jonsson, who currently serves as President, U.S. He will keep his former and new title. After 33 years at the company, he is trusted to lead Lilly’s launched products and late-stage portfolio of diabetes and obesity medicines, namely Mounjaro.
EVERSANA
Ryan Sparks was named Chief Information Officer of the global life sciences commercial services agency. With his 25 years of experience, Sparks will be responsible for the global enterprise’s IT operations across 25 locations, serving more than 650 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. His cross-industry experience spans technology, data strategy, product management, operations, and finance, making him the perfect leader for a powerful information technology team.
Exelixis
Amy Peterson, MD has joined the global oncology company as its next Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Peterson has held leadership positions in clinical development and operations at Genentech, Medivation, BeiGene, and CytomX. She joins Exelixis as the company accelerates development of its product pipeline and builds on the success of its flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX.
imre
The Baltimore-based full-service marketing agency, has appointed a new Executive Vice President of Strategy, Machelle Henks. The marketing and communications veteran brings 20 years of experience from leadership positions at EVERSANA INTOUCH, WPP, Eurofins, Bayer, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Henks grows business and builds teams and is trusted to do so for the agency’s strategy division.
Greater Than One
The healthcare-focused agency hired Preston Taylor as its new Chief Financial Officer. Taylor will be delivering innovative client solutions by leveraging the agency’s media, creative, and technology capabilities. Taylor boasts a strategic financial background working with major media agencies which he will use to hone financial models as the agency grows.
Kite Pharma
Gilead’s Kite Pharma appointed Priti Hegde, PhD as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Research. Dr. Hegde was previously the Chief Scientific Officer at Foundation Medicine, leading the cell therapy company in its CAR-T research and development. Kite is currently developing multiple cell therapies, including Yescarta as a first-line treatment for high-risk large B-cell lymphoma and other lymphoma indications.
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
Tom Garner was appointed Chief Commercial Officer of the gene-focused biopharma. With over 25 years of pharma experience, Garner has held positions at global companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly before joining Bristol Myers Squibb. Garner was previously the Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Cardiovascular and Established Brands business unit at BMS, an enterprise that reported total revenues over $10 billion.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals
The biopharma dedicated to pursuing novel therapies for the liver disease nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), appointed Bill Sibold as its new CEO. Sibold most recently served as Sanofi’s Executive Vice President of Specialty Care and President of North American operations, the largest global business unit. Sibold will lead the company through its upcoming potential FDA approval of resmetirom which would be the first approved NASH treatment.
