Castellani to Replace Tauzin as Head of PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced earlier this week that John J. Castellani will replace Billy Tauzin as President and Chief Executive Officer. Tauzin stepped down earlier this year and has been serving as a senior advisor to the trade association. Castellani’s role will become effective Sept. 1, 2010.
 
Castellani has spent the past nine years as president and CEO of Business Roundtable, a leading association of corporate chief executive officers based in Washington, DC. Previously, he served in leading positions at Tenneco, a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of emission-control and ride-control products/systems for the automotive industry; the National Association of Manufacturers; and TRW, a global service provider to the automotive industry. Castellani began his career as an environmental scientist at General Electric, according to the PhRMA press announcement.
 
“This is an exciting time for our industry, which is leading the way in providing patient-centered health solutions,” said Pfizer Chairman and CEO and PhRMA Board Chairman Jeff Kindler in the PhRMA press release. “At this critical moment, it’s important that we have the highest standard of leadership in this position. And we have that in John. John is the gold standard, and I’m extremely pleased that he will lead our team.”
 
Added David Brennan, president and CEO of AstraZeneca and head of PhRMA's search committee, “His experience in coalition building and strong reputation of working across the political divide set him apart. He will contribute mightily to our mission in a time of dynamic change.”
 
“The pharmaceutical industry touches millions of people around the world. The industry’s work saves and extends people’s lives everyday,” said Castellani in the release. “As US health care reform is implemented, I look forward to working with the dedicated people of the industry, public officials and other key stakeholders in the health care community to ensure that the benefits of the legislation help the most Americans possible.”
 
In related news, the president and CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), Kathleen Jaeger, also stepped down this year. She resigned from the trade association, effective June 30, and plans to stay on as a senior advisor through the end of 2010. Jaeger had been with GPhA since 2002. In late June, the association announced that Bob Billings, vice-president of policy, would serve as interim executive director. Of note, FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs also lost its director this year, Gary Buehler, when he moved to head up the agency’s Office of Pharmaceutical Science.

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