People

Teaneck, NJ (Jan. 24)

—

Eisai Inc.

(

www.eisai.com

) hired

Blair Tyson

as senior manager of aseptic operations. Tyson recently served as operations manager for Eisai's parenteral production facility in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company also promoted

Nicole Merlo

and

Kim Van Iderstine

to product manager.

Carlsbad, CA (Jan. 22)—Jeffrey M. Jonas, MD, will join Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.isispharm.com) on Feb. 1 as executive vice-president. Jonas will lead clinical development, preclinical development, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance and compliance at Isis.

Rockville, MD (Jan. 19)—The US Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) announced the creation of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer as well as two important staff changes at the agency. Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock will step into the newly created position of chief medical officer. In this post, she will collaborate with FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach to plan, organize, direct, staff, coordinate, control, and evaluate the agency's scientific and medical regulatory activities "to achieve the mission of FDA," according to an official FDA announcement. In addition, the agency named John R. Dyer as its deputy commissioner of operations and chief operating officer.

Glen Rock, PA (Jan. 18)—Adhesives Research, Inc. (www.adhesivesresearch.com), a developer and manufacturer of high-performance pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, specialty coatings, films, and laminates, promoted Geoff Bennett to the position of president. Bennett succeeds Kären M. Olson, who was the company's president and CEO for more than three years and will remain a member of the board of directors.

Karlsruhe, Germany (Jan. 18)—Thomas Luken was appointed president of the Romaco Business Unit (www.romaco.com). Luken will be responsible for the company's worldwide operations, including sales activities and production sites for liquid and powder packaging, solids packaging, and solids and semisolids processing equipment in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland

South San Francisco, CA (Jan. 17)—Genentech, Inc. (www.gene.com) promoted Markus Gemuend to senior vice-president of biochemical manufacturing, Sean A. Johnston to senior vice-president and general counsel, and Timothy L. Moore to senior vice-president of the global supply chain. The company also promoted Christopher Horan to vice-president of planning, distribution, and logistics.

Tarrytown, NY (Jan. 16)—Michael M. Goldberg was terminated as CEO and chairman of the board of Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (www.emisphere.com). The company's board of directors has begun the search for a permanent replacement for Goldberg. Meanwhile, Lewis H. Bender, senior vice-president of business development, will act as the interim CEO.

Liberty Corner, NJ (Jan. 16)—Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.reliantrx.com) appointed Bradley T. Sheares, PhD, chief executive officer. Sheares joins the company from Merck & Co., Inc., where he was president of US human health.

Arlington, VA (Jan. 11)—The International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council of the Americas (IPEC, www.ipecamericas.org) announced the results of its recent executive committee elections. Janeen Skutnik of Pfizer, Inc. was elected chair, and Eli Lilly's Robert E. Wiens was elected vice-chair of science and regulatory policy. Eunice M. Cuirle of FMC Biopolymer and Edward G. Malawer, PhD, of International Specialty Products were elected executive committee members. They will all serve through Dec. 31, 2008.

Alexandria, VA (Jan. 2)—The Association for Operations Management (APICS, www.apics.org) elected Joseph F. Shedlawski president of its board of directors. Shedlawski is principal of commercial operations at Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. He has been a member of the northern New Jersey chapter of APICS for more than 21 years and served as the chapter's president in 1991.

San Carlos, CA (Jan. 8)—Howard R. Robin was appointed president and CEO of Nektar Therapeutics (www.nektar.com). Robin was previously president and CEO of Sirna Therapeutics and also held positions at Berlex Laboratories.

Tarrytown, NY (Jan. 8)—Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.progenics.com) named Walter M. Capone vice-president of commercial development and operations. Capone previously worked for Trimeris, Inc., where he was senior vice-president of commercial operations.