23andMe brings on Dean Schorno as CFO, operations head

Chutes and Ladders

Welcome to this week's Chutes and Ladders, our roundup of hirings and retirings throughout the industry. Please send the good word--or the bad--from your shop to Eric Sagonowsky (email) or Amirah Al Idrus (email | Twitter), and we will feature it here at the end of each week.

23andMe brings on Dean Schorno as CFO, operations head

23andMe
Dean Schorno was named CFO.

23andMe named Dean Schorno as its CFO and operations head this week, a role in which he'll oversee the company's global financial and clinical laboratory operations. Schorno most recently served as CFO for Adaptive Biotechnologies, where he was responsible for all financial operations and facilities management. Prior to Adaptive, Schorno spent 13 years at Genomic Health, where he served as both vice president of operations and chief financial officer. "Dean Schorno is a world class financial executive with deep operational and category experience who will bring discipline to the complexities of our business," said Andy Page, 23andMe president. Release


Jones to serve as Pacira's CMO

Pacira Pharmaceuticals
Dr. James Jones was named CMO.

Pacira Pharmaceuticals ($PCRX) appointed Dr. James Jones as its senior vice president and chief medical officer, replacing Dr. Gary Patou, who was with Pacira for 6 years. Dr. Jones, who brings more than 25 years of experience both as a practicing and teaching physician and as an executive at biotech and pharmaceutical companies, will lead the company's research and development for expanded uses of Exparel and DepoFoam products. Most recently, he was vice president at The Medicines Company ($MDCO), where he was responsible for the submission and approval of Ionsys in the U.S. and for directing the product's application and submission in the EU. "Jim's proven vision, expertise and strong background in the clinical development of pain products will play an important role in our overall strategy to augment our leadership and support the company's growth," said Dave Stack, president, chief executive officer and chairman of Pacira. Release


Madden named Cepheid CFO as Daskal heads for the door

Cepheid
Dan Madden
was named CFO.

Cepheid's Dan Madden will take the CFO reins at the diagnostics firm as Ilan Daskal, formerly in the role, left the company. Madden will build on his previous experience as Cepheid's ($CPHD) corporate controller and acting CFO, the company said in a release. The incoming CFO has served as Cepheid's vice president and controller since June 2014, and from February to April 2015, as acting CFO. In a statement, company CEO John Bishop thanked Daskal for his "short time" at Cepheid and said that Madden's "exemplary" track record and leadership experience will support the company's growth. Release


Merck manufacturing is shedding another 2,600 jobs. Story

Lundbeck is canning 1,000 workers with an eye on profitability. Story


Biotech

> Cloud Pharmaceuticals appointed Lyle Lohmeyer as its CFO and Don Van Dyke as its new COO. Release

> NeuSpera brought on Milton Morris as the company's CEO. Release

> James Connolly joined Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals as its CEO and a board member. Release

> MetaStat appointed Dr. Michael Donovan as its chief medical officer. Release

> Cirrus Pharmaceuticals named Andrew Hamer as its vice president of R&D. Release

> Eiger Biopharma hired Jim Welch as its chief financial officer and Jim Shaffer as its chief business officer. Release

> Nanomix appointed Larry Wray as its vice president of development. Release

> Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals brought on Martin Driscoll as its president and CEO. Release

> Catalyst ($CPRX) appointed Paul Merrigan as its chief commercial officer. Release

> VolitionRX ($VNRX) brought on David Kratochvil as its chief financial officer. Release

> Dr. Neil Barth joined Veracyte ($VCYT) as the company's chief medical officer. Release

> Armetheon appointed Dr. Detlef Albrecht as its chief medical officer. Release

> Sanguine appointed Susan Aroyan as its chief strategy officer. Release

> Cortex Pharmaceuticals brought on James Manuso as its president, CEO and vice chairman of its board of directors. Release

> Immunomedics ($IMMU) appointed Arthur Kirsch as its director. Release

> Achaogen ($AKAO) appointed Blake Wise as its chief operating officer. Release

> Omnicell ($OMNL) hired Peter Kuipers as its chief financial officer. Release

Biotech Research

> Keith Perry joined St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as chief information officer. Release

CRO

> CRO Analytics hired Bruce Wakeman as its chief commercial officer. Release