C&L: PDL BioPharma's L. Patrick Gage resigns

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:59:52 -0400

PDL BioPharma director and interim Chief Executive L. Patrick Gage resigned due to differences among the board about prioritizing company goals.

Histogenics has named F. Ken Andrews president and CEO. Andrews is a former vice president of marketing and sales of the tissue repair division of Genzyme.

Epix Pharmaceuticals announced the resignation of Dr. Andrew Uprichard from his position as president and head of research and development.

Alexza Pharmaceuticals announced that Jeffrey S. Williams has rejoined the company in a part-time position as president, Alexza Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexza.

Biogen Idec has promoted Hans Peter Hasler to chief operating officer. He had been executive vice president, global neurology.

Etrials Worldwide said James W. Clark, Jr. has resigned his position as secretary, treasurer and chief financial officer.

Genmab AS said it has appointed David Eatwell as new chief financial officer of the group.

Amazon Biotech announced that Dr. Michael Silver has been appointed as the company's new scientific director.

ImClone Systems has appointed Bernhard Ehmer, M.D. as senior vice president and managing director, international operations.

Adolor Corporation has promoted Lee Techner, DPM to vice president, medical affairs and medical director.

MAP Pharmaceuticals has appointed Marco F. Rosa to the newly created position of vice president of human resources.

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. has appointed Thomas Franck as vice president of commercial planning.

BioChemics has named Dr. R. Rox Anderson, professor at Harvard Medical School, as a member of the company's Scientific Advisory Board.

DermTech announced that Herbert A. Fritsche, Ph.D., has joined DermTech's Scientific Advisory Board.

Avantogen Ltd welcomed Professor Ian Frazer to the Scientific Advisory Board of Hawaii Biotech Inc.

Provectus Pharmaceuticals has announced that Kelly M. McMasters MD, PhD, has agreed to serve as a member of the corporate board of directors. Additionally, Dr. McMasters will head the scientific advisory board.

TOPIGEN Pharmaceuticals has named Jeremy Curnock Cook, MA, to its board of directors.

Trius Therapeutics announced the appointment of Paul Truex to its board of directors.

NanoBio announced the appointment of David M. Stout to its board of directors.

Enzon Pharmaceuticals announced that Dr. Jack Geltosky has been appointed to the company's board of directors

ALSO NOTED: Gates gives $280M to fight TB; Merck drug proves positive in Phase II;Merck KGaA exec eyes acquisitions;much more..

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> Merck says that its mid-stage trial for the osteoporosis drug Odanacatib (formerly MK-0822) significantly boosted bone mineral density after 12 months. The trial tested four doses of the drug, with the highest dose achieving the best overall results. Report

> ReachBio has opened for business in Seattle. The company will focus on providing specialized contract assay and contract research services utilizing in vitro and in vivo stem cell and progenitor cell assays. Release

> Provectus Pharmaceuticals has announced that a Phase I trial of Provecta demonstrated minimal side effects, significant efficacy and bystander effect on metastatic melanoma tumors in stage III patients. Release

> Johnson & Johnson's restructuring has come home to roost in Belgium. Drug maker Janssen-Cilag, a J&J subsidiary, will slice 521 full-time and 167 part-time workers from its payroll of 4,723 in-country. Report

> Merck KGaA's new chairman, Karl-Ludwig Kley (photo), says he's planning a series of acquisitions over the next three years to grow the company's consumer health and life sciences businesses. Report

> Report: Pharma lobbies big-time in '07. Report

And Finally... Forget the European regulators' fight with Microsoft, Gates still has plenty of money for new research work. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today grants totaling $280 million to help fight tuberculosis. The 11 new grants will speed research and development on vaccines, diagnostic tests and treatments to help reduce the global TB burden. Report