Biopharmaceutical company Genzyme, part of Sanofi, has appointed William ‘Bill’ Sibold as Head of Multiple Sclerosis and Rogério Vivaldi as Head of Rare Diseases.

These two businesses make up Genzyme’s core focus following its integration with Sanofi.

David Meeker, Genzyme’s President and CEO, commented: “These appointments are a critical step in launching the new Genzyme. Bill and Rogério are dynamic leaders with the experience, energy, vision and commitment to patients needed to move us forward.”

Bill Sibold has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for two decades, primarily in commercial roles – including responsibility for the MS drugs Avonex and Tysabri. In eight years at Biogen Idec he rose to become Senior Vice President of US Commercial. He joins Genzyme from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, where he was the Chief Commercial Officer.

“Our goal is to build a world-leading multiple sclerosis franchise,” said Meeker. “Bill’s substantial commercial experience and his deep knowledge of the MS field will be critical to the launch of Lemtrada and Aubagio, two investigational therapies with the potential to transform the lives of people living with MS.”

Rogério Vivaldi joined Genzyme in 1997; his roles have included President of the company’s Renal and Endocrinology Business and President of Genzyme Latin America. As a doctor, he became a recognised expert on the rare Gaucher disease and its treatment.

“Rogério’s experience as a physician treating Gaucher patients in Brazil and his subsequent work in building our rare disease business in Latin America will provide both continuity and an energising new beginning for our global rare disease business,” noted Meeker.

Based in Massachusetts, US, Genzyme specialises in biopharmaceutical therapies for rare and debilitating diseases. As part of Sanofi, it benefits from the commercial reach of a leading global pharmaceutical company.

Roche has appointed Pamela Carroll as its new Global Head of Pathways Biology within in Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development unit.

She will also act as oncology discovery site head at the company’s research facility in Nutley, New Jersey.

Mike Burgess, Global Head Oncology, Discovery and Translational Area, and head, large molecule research at Roche, says Pam “has built a reputation for scientific excellence and leadership in the field”.

She first entered the pharmaceutical industry in 1999 with Bristol-Myers Squibb before joining Merck. Two years ago, she moved to the Belfer Institute of Applied Cancer Sciences at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School.

“Her broad knowledge and successful history in leading oncology drug discovery efforts make her is an ideal fit for this position,” Mr Burgess added.

Lundbeck has appointed Jens Peter Balling and Iman Barilero as vice presidents in its R&D organisation.

The new appointments follow Lundbeck’s recent consolidation of its R&D activities into one organisation, creating a new unit.

Peter Balling (pictured, right) has been appointed as Vice President of the new unit, which will focus on regulatory product support, patient safety and quality assurance of clinical research.

Barilero (pictured, below) will be responsible for increasing Lundbeck's strategic efforts to build and maintain constructive cooperation and dialogue with national and international regulatory authorities.

Anders Gersel Pedersen, Executive Vice President of R&D at Lundbeck, said: “The regulatory and safety areas are an increasingly important prerequisite for this. The creation of one new unit and the increased focus on the other gives us a strong position in these areas.”

Peter Balling joined Lundbeck in 2006 as divisional director of global pharmacovigilance, previously working at Novo Nordisk and Nycomed.

Barilero began work for Lundbeck in 2007, when she served divisional director of regulatory development, strategy and policy, with previous experience at Hoffmann-La Roche and Johnson & Johnson.

Search for careers at Lundbeck.

Sanofi has appointed David Meeker as CEO of Genzyme to incorporate its Rare Disease and Multiple Sclerosis franchises.

He will join the company’s Group Management Committee, reporting to Sanofi’s CEO, Christopher Viehbacher.

He said that David’s “medical and business experience will be essential to move Genzyme’s broad portfolio of products forward and deliver much-needed therapies to patients”.

Mr Meeker joined Genzyme in 1994 as medical director to work on the company’s Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy programme. He has since held various positions at the company, including President of Global Rare Disease Business, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2009.

Sanofi is a global healthcare provider, which develops and distributes therapeutic solutions in diabetes care, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health.

EKR Therapeutics has appointed Robert Roche Jr as an independent director to its Board.

John Bailye, President and CEO of EKR Therapeutics, said that Mr Roche “brings a wealth of operating and management experience to our company at a time when we are working hard to expand our business”.

Mr. Roche currently works as Independent Director of NuPathe in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. His previous positions include executive vice president of Worldwide Pharmaceutical Operations at Cephalon as well as various sales and marketing roles at SmithKline Beecham.

EKR Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company that provides acute care products to the hospital marketplace.

Amgen has appointed Tony Hooper as its new Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Operations.

The 56-year-old joins from Bristol-Myers Squibb and will take on the responsibility for the companies commercial operations around the globe.

Robert Bradway, President and Chief Operating Officer, says Mr Hooper’s “passion for serving patients across the globe make him an outstanding addition”.

He joins after 16 years at BMS where he led the commercial business in the US, Asia, Middle East, Africa, South America and Europe. Most recently he served as the Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and President, United States, Japan and Intercontinental.

“It's a privilege to join Amgen, a Company well-known for scientific innovation and developing life-changing therapies for people with serious illnesses,” said Mr Hooper. “I am looking forward to bringing my global commercial experience to Amgen as it moves to implement its strategic vision for growth and international expansion.”

On the same day at Hooper’s appointment, Amgen decided to cut 380 R&D jobs.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has made alterations to its Senior Management Team.

Giovanni Caforio has been promoted to President of US Pharmaceuticals from senior vice president of Oncology and Immunology Global Commercialisation, replacing Anthony Hooper, who has decided to leave the company.

In addition, Charles Bancroft and Béatrice Cazala have both been appointed as Executive Vice Presidents of the company, reporting to Lamberto Andreotti, CEO of BMS.

Mr Andreotti said that he looked forward “to working with these three senior leaders and the rest of my management team to continue to successfully execute our BioPharma strategy”.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company aiming to discover, develop and deliver medicines to patients with serious diseases.

NICE has appointed a new external assessment centre to support its Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme.

The new assessment centre, developed by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Medical Physics Department in partnership with York Health Economics Consortium, will provide independent assessment of the clinical and health economic evidence for medical technologies.

It will also develop and facilitate independent research to assist suppliers when NICE guidance recommends that further research should be carried out on a medical device or diagnostic.

The new assessment centres were selected for their knowledge and expertise in the evaluation of medical technologies.

To date, one more external assessment centre, CEDAR – part of Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board – has been commissioned.

Professor Carole Longson, Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new joint external assessment centre based at Newcastle and York. Their input to the production of NICE medical technology guidance will be essential, providing independent assessment of the evidence available for devices going through the NICE evaluation process.

“Where the relevant NICE advisory committee identifies that a technology has considerable potential but insufficient evidence to support widespread adoption across the NHS, it may make recommendations for further research. In such cases, the external assessment centre will play a key role in facilitating the development of further relevant evidence.

“We look forward to working with the centre, and benefitting from their combined technical and economics expertise in supporting the development of robust guidance for the NHS.”

Established by NICE in 2009, the Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme is focused specifically on innovative medical technologies. Seven NICE medical technology guidance documents have been published to date.

Professor Malcolm Grant (pictured), an authority on genetic technology, has been named by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley as his choice of Chair for the new NHS Commissioning Board.

The national board, which has been called the biggest quango in British history, will commission primary medical care and specialist health areas, as well as controlling the allocation of NHS resources.

Professor Grant, currently Provost of University College London, will be interviewed by the Health Select Committee before his appointment but is expected to take up the post at the end of October.

A qualified barrister and lawyer, Professor Grant has worked in the Local Government Commission and been a UK Business Ambassador. He is a recognised authority on the regulation of biotechnology.

Malcolm Grant commented: “We need to build on the very best NHS qualities of dedicated public service, professionalism and pride, and seize the opportunity to create long-term stability and focus on getting constant improvement in quality and openness to innovation.”

Grant’s commitment to new healthcare technology is reflected in his recent statement: “We know that there will be a revolution in the next few years as we try to ensure that improvements in diagnostics and pharmacogenetics and self-care and self-treatment are brought home to patients, giving them the capacity to control their own medication and their own choices.”

The NHS Commissioning Board will provide strategic leadership for NHS commissioning. It will directly commission primary medical care and some specialised healthcare; support and regulate the Clinical Commissioning Groups; allocate NHS resources; and promote patient choice and information.

Andrew Lansley said: “Professor Grant has distinction and authority, is outstandingly capable and has excellent leadership skills, demonstrated by his success at UCL. He has a strong track record of delivery in complex public sector organisations, and shares the public sector ethos and values of the NHS.”

Nycomed, a Takeda company, has appointed Jostein Davidsen as its new Head of Emerging Markets.

Mr Davidsen will take on the post in addition to his current role as Area Head of Russia/CIS, reporting to Frank Morich, EVP, International Operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, and CEO of Nycomed.

“Jostein's strong track record of leading Russia/CIS over the past 17 years makes him an ideal candidate for this position,” said Mr Morich.

“His extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with vision and tenacity, has propelled Russia/CIS to become one of Nycomed's top revenue contributors.”

Takeda’s acquisition of Nycomed in September 2011 was driven by Nycomed’s presence in Emerging Markets in Russia/CIS, Latin America, Middle East-Turkey-Africa and South Asia.

Takeda is a research-based global company with a main focus on pharmaceuticals. The combined company has an active commercial presence in the therapeutic areas of metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, oncology, cardiovascular health, CNS diseases, inflammatory and immune disorders, respiratory diseases and pain management.