September 2023 • PharmaTimes Magazine • 36-37
// YOUR MOVES //
Your Moves
Mover of the Month
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has appointed Libby Pink as the organisation’s new Chief Portfolio Officer.
Libby, who joins the NHSBSA from NHS England, has worked in healthcare since 2004, holding a variety of roles across various NHS organisations throughout England.
Portfolio management is a crucial role in the NHSBSA, as the Newcastle-based organisation, with offices in Eastbourne, is routinely called upon by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the wider NHS to pick up and transform new healthcare services.
For instance, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the organisation stood up over 50 vital services to support the public and the health and care system. Libby’s new role as Chief Portfolio Officer ensures the organisation has a dedicated and smart approach to portfolio management.
Libby said: “I am delighted to be joining the NHSBSA as their Chief Portfolio Officer, having already worked closely with the organisation on several projects and services. I am passionate about good leadership and am looking forward to this opportunity to champion my profession.
“Throughout my career I have been privileged to work on many initiatives aimed at improving effectiveness and efficiency within the NHS.”
Medis – a company focused on improving access to innovative therapies across Europe, has appointed Maja Strnad Cestar as its new CEO.
Since joining Medis 21 years ago, Maja has held a range of senior leadership roles, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for improving business performance. She has also led the team of directors and managed the development of Medis subsidiaries in the CEE region.
Meanwhile, Dr Martina Perharič will continue to be an invaluable part of the company as Chief Business Officer Pharmaceuticals and Member of the Board of Directors responsible for strategic development.
Maja reflected: “It is an incredible honour for me to have the opportunity to lead and serve Medis. Over the past six years, as Martina served as CEO, she made an enormous contribution to Medis and prepared us for our future growth.
“As the new CEO, I could not wish for a better foundation. We will continue to invest in the digital area and keep attracting the best talent in the region, but most importantly, we will continue our legacy of bringing innovative and life-saving therapies to patients across Central and Eastern Europe.”
Zetta Genomics, a genomic data management company, has appointed Nathan Sommerford as its Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). The newly created role will see Nathan become a key member of the company’s senior leadership team, with a remit to help develop and deliver its ambitious and ongoing global growth strategy.
Formerly IQVIA’s Global Lead for Drug Discovery & Development Consulting, Nathan’s 20-year healthcare career and senior leadership experience bring Zetta a global perspective and North American expertise.
With additional experience at global life sciences giants such as Roche Diagnostics, Nathan blends the commercial and analytics insights that make him ideally suited to lead Zetta Genomics’ commercialisation strategy and deliver on its goal to scale to 500,000 genomes under management.
Mark Bailey, CEO of Zetta Genomics, commented: “Zetta Genomics is growing at pace and we are now acquiring the talent that will drive our global expansion strategy.
“We’re delighted to have secured someone with the skills and experience that Nathan brings to our newly created Chief Revenue Officer – a truly global leader who will help to shape the company as we move towards Series A funding in 2024 and beyond.”
EnteroBiotix (EBX) – a company focused on microbiome therapeutics – has announced the appointment of Elmar Schnee as Executive Chairman. Elmar succeeds Douglas Thomson, who will continue to serve EBX as a non-executive Board member.
Elmar brings broad experience from the international pharmaceutical industry and will play a pivotal role in leading EnteroBiotix to deliver on its next phase of growth. As Executive Chairman, he will work closely with the management team to drive corporate strategy, foster key partnerships, and further strengthen EnteroBiotix's position as a global leader in the microbiome field.
Elmar was previously a Member of the Executive Board Merck KGaA and CEO of Merck Serono and was instrumental in the acquisition of Serono by Merck KGaA.
He currently serves as Chairman of the board of directors of Calliditas Therapeutics AG, ProCom Rx SA, Moleac Pte Lts and Noorik Biopharmaceuticals AG as well as a member of the board of directors of Kuste Biopharma, Mindmaze SA and Damian Pharma AG.
EDX Medical (EDX) – which develops innovative digital diagnostic products – has announced that Erik Jensen will be joining the international senior management team of the company as Commercial Director, UK & Northern Europe.
Erik will be based in the markets, supported by colleagues at the company’s head office. He previously worked at Becton Dickinson and Abbott Laboratories, and has previously held sales and business development roles based in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Commenting on his appointment Erik said: "I’m exceptionally excited at the opportunity to bring the pipeline of innovative EDX Medical products and services to clients in the UK and Nordic region, supporting our clients with the tools to obtain key patient data, enabling them to pioneer the adoption of personalised medicine for their patients.”
Chanelle Pharma, one of Ireland’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers, has appointed Brian O’Broin to the newly created role of Chief Quality and Technology Officer.
Prior to joining Chanelle, Brian worked for a Polish biopharmaceutical company, Polpharma Biologics. There he was Group Director of Quality Compliance and supported the company as it successfully sought FDA, EMA and MHRA regulatory approval for its biosimilar products. Polpharma Biologics has sites in Warsaw and Gdansk (in Poland) and Utrecht (in the Netherlands).
He has also worked with Teva Pharmaceuticals, Validant, Perrigo, Leo Pharma and Pfizer, in on-site, regional and corporate roles.
Brian brings a wealth of over 25 years’ experience in quality compliance, quality operations, manufacturing, analytical technologies, remediation, continuous improvement and inspection readiness.
PhoreMost has appointed Professor Peter Parker and Dr Jason Imbriglio to its scientific advisory board.
Peter is an Emeritus Professor at The Francis Crick Institute and at King’s College London. He has published over 380 primary research articles and reviews, and been recognised by the scientific community, having been elected to the European Molecular Biology Organisation (1997), the Academy of Medical Sciences (2000), the Royal Society (2006) and the European Academy of Cancer Sciences (2011).
His research interests have a strong oncology focus and include protein kinase signalling, biomarker identification and the development of targeted therapies.
Meanwhile, Jason has over 18 years of experience in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. He has held a range of senior positions in Merck’s Global Discovery Chemistry department, most recently as Director of Chemical Biology, leading teams from target identification through to lead optimisation.
As Co-Founder of Merck’s Chemical Biology group and Co-Lead of its TPD group, Jason contributed to the discovery of five development candidates and three INDs. Currently, he is Co-Founder and VP Head of Discovery Chemistry, Applied Modelling and Pharmacology at Covant Therapeutics.
WA Communications, a leading strategic communications consultancy, has announced the appointment of NHS leader Mike Bell to its growing advisory board. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the healthcare sector, having served in various senior roles within the NHS.
Mike is currently Chair of NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and Chair of Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust.
With over 25 years of NHS board level experience, including more than a decade on strategic health authority boards, including as vice-chair of NHS London, Mike brings a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape to his advisory role. Previously, he served as the Chair of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, playing a pivotal role in improving healthcare services in the Croydon area.
Superdrug has appointed Ghada Beal as its new Healthcare Director.
Ghada joins the Healthcare division at a time when Superdrug has achieved consistent growth across health retail, services and pharmacy and is committed to investing in 25 new stores and refitting 70 stores this year.
Ghada has held various roles from Pharmacy Manager, Store Manager, Area Manager and Regional Manager, showing her talent for delivery through engaging and inspiring her team.
With 28 years of experience in retail and pharmacy, Ghada has most recently held the position of Retail and Pharmacy Services Director at Lloyds Pharmacy having previously spent twenty-six years at Walgreen Boots Alliance. In her final years at Walgreen Boots Alliance, she held the role of Vice President, Director of Stores.
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