Welcome to this week's Chutes and Ladders, our roundup of hirings, firings and retirings throughout the industry. Please send the good word--or the bad--from your shop to Eric Sagonowsky (email) or Alyssa Huntley (email) and we will feature it here at the end of each week.
Novo Nordisk says goodbye to CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen
Novo Nordisk
Lars Rebien Sorensen will step down as CEO.
After 16 years, Novo Nordisk will be losing CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen, in accordance with a long-term plan that's been in the works since last year. Novo said that the CEO would remain in his position until his contract ends in 2019. Of course, some are taking this announcement lightly, as Sorensen previously announced in 2015 that he would retire before his term had ended. This announcement comes alongside intensified pricing pressure from U.S. payers and boosted competition from rival drugmakers. Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, current Novo EVP and head of corporate development, will step in to Sorensen's role starting at the beginning of next year. FiercePharma article
As IMS Health and Quintiles join forces, plans are set for management
IMS Health and Quintiles
The two have named new leadership as they become one entity.
IMS Health and Quintiles are becoming a singular entity. As such, they have announced who will be taking the lead at the new company. Ari Bousbib, current chief of IMS Health, will become chair and CEO. Reporting to Bousbib will be Michael McDonnell, EVP and CFO, and James Erlinger, EVP and general counsel. Under the clinical research banner will be Tom Pike, vice chairman and president of R&D solutions. Pike is the current CEO at Quintiles. Jon Resnick will be president of real-world insights, and Scott Evangelista will be president of contract sales organization. Pictured above are (clockwise from top left): Michael McDonnell, Tom Pike, Jon Resnick, Ari Bousbib, James Erlinger and Scott Evangelista. FierceCRO article
Biotech
> Flamel Technologies will bring on Mark Elrod as VP of sales. Release
> Minnetronix has found a new VP of operations in Anthony Millar. Release
> Dennis Fowler plans to resign from his post as EVP for clinical and regulatory affairs with Titan Medical. Report
> Spotlight Innovation is welcoming Cassandra MacArther as its SVP of regulatory affairs and compliance. Release
> Worldwide Clinical Trials has found a senior medical director of neuroscience, medical and scientific affairs in Dr. Miroslav Backonja. Release
> Vaximm AG has named Matthias Schroff as CEO. Release
> Holly Hartman was named the VP of business development and corporate strategy at Pulse Biosciences. Release
> Forma Therapeutics welcomed Karoline Shair as VP of legal and chief intellectual property counsel. Release
> Carmat CEO Marcello Conviti will leave the organization after 7 years in the position. Release
> Halozyme Therapeutics is welcoming Mark Gergen as SVP and chief operating officer. Release
> Crown Bioscience has named Jean Pierre Wery as CEO and has made several other changes to its leadership. Release
> Misonix President and CEO Michael McManus is resigning. Release
Pharma
> Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB has appointed Fredrik Gynnerstedt as its chief financial officer. Release
> Stephen Lemieux will join Cipher Pharmaceuticals as chief financial officer and secretary of the company. Release
> Advicenne has nominated Ludovic Robin as its chief business and strategy officer. Release
> CiToxLAB appointed Alan Bartlett as senior director of global laboratory operations. Release
> Celmatix welcomes Mark Adams as chief information officer. Release