Novartis oncology chief Hoppenot exits to helm Incyte

Chutes and Ladders

Welcome to this week's Chutes and Ladders, our roundup of hirings and firings throughout the industry. Please send the good word--or the bad--from your shop to Michael Gibney (email | Twitter) or Emily Mullin (email | Twitter) and we will feature it here at the end of each week.

Novartis oncology chief Hoppenot exits to helm Incyte

Hervé Hoppenot left his role as president of Novartis' ($NVS) oncology arm to take the CEO position at Incyte ($INCY), where he will take over for the retiring Paul Friedman. Delaware-based Incyte is a longtime development partner of Novartis, producing the myelofibrosis treatment Jakavi and the Cushing's disease therapy Signifor. According to Incyte, Hoppenot oversaw 8,000 employees in 50 countries at Novartis, having joined the company in 2003 as EVP and head of global marketing. "Hervé has led the oncology business since 2010 and we thank him for his dedication and commitment to bringing breakthrough treatments to patients," Novartis said in a statement. "We wish him all the best for his future success." Story

Novartis
Hervé Hoppenot left his position as president of oncology.


Amgen
Jonathan Peacock stepped down from the CFO position.


Pharma

Amgen ($AMGN) says CFO Jonathan Peacock stepped down from the CFO position "to pursue broader career opportunities," the company explained. Amgen named Michael Kelly, an 11-year Amgen veteran, to hold the position on an interim basis. Item

ShangPharma appointed Mitchell Reff as the company's chief biologics officer. Release

Biotech

Agenus ($AGEN) appointed Dr. Robert Stein as its chief scientific officer. Release

Novavax ($NVAX) bumped Gregory Glenn up to senior vice president of research and development, Dr. Louis Fries to vice president and chief medical officer and D. Nigel Thomas to vice president of clinical operations. Release

Alcobra ($ADHD) named David Baker its chief commercial officer. Release

Joseph Bisaha and David Jackson joined Arno Therapeutics as vice president of clinical operations and project management and vice president of diagnostics, respectively. Release

Akebia Therapeutics named Nicole Hadas as vice president and general counsel and Michel Dahan as vice president of the commercial team. Release

CytRx ($CYTR) has appointed Dr. Shanta Chawla vice president of clinical development. Release

Novasep has appointed Thierry van Nieuwenhove as president of its synthesis business unit. Release

Actavis ($ACT) has appointed Herm Cukier to lead its U.S. specialty brands women's healthcare category. Meanwhile, Charles Sabino will lead the U.S. specialty brands urology and GI therapeutic category, and Thomas Griffin Jr. will head the business operations team. Release

Osiris Therapeutics ($OSIR) has confirmed Lode Debrabandere as its new president and CEO. Release