C&L: Somnus names executive team

Gary Cupit, PharmD, has been named CEO of Somnus Therapeutics. The rest of the executive team: Mary Osbakken, MD, PhD, chief medical officer; Christine Blumhardt, PharmD, chief regulatory officer; Linda Hogan, MS, MBA, chief business officer; Anne McCormick, MSW, director, clinical project management.
 
Altus Pharmaceuticals has appointed Georges Gemayel as CEO and member of the board of directors.
 
Amazon Biotech announced that Eliyahu BenTal Tolchinsky has been appointed as director and CEO.

NicOx said development chief Damian Marron will leave May 30 and will be replaced by Sanjiv Sharma, vice president of commercial affairs, and Gavin Spencer, senior director of business development. Marron will become CEO of another, unnamed biopharmaceutical company.

CyDex Pharmaceuticals announced that Theron E. Odlaug, Ph.D. has been appointed to the newly established position of president and chief operating officer.

Nektar Therapeutics named Bharatt Chowrira chief operating officer and head of the company's PEGylation Business Unit.

Nanobiotix it has appointed Elsa Borghi, MD, as medical director.
 
Adolor named Eliseo Oreste Salinas senior vice president of research and development and chief medical officer, effective June 2.
 
Schering-Plough Corporation announced that Janet M. Barth has been appointed vice president, investor relations. Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings has named Blaine T. Davis vice president, investor relations and corporate communications. Ipsen has named Gerard Picot vice-president, global regulatory affairs.
 
Orchid Cellmark has named Jeffrey S. Boschwitz, Ph.D., vice president of North America marketing and sales.
 
Elan Corporation has named Patrick Kennedy and Donal O'Connor to the board of directors.
 
VentiRx Pharmaceuticals named Dr. Elliott Grossbard to its board of directors.
 
Struggling VaxGen put Paul De Stefano and Lori Rafield onto its board after three members quit.