Asmacure Ltée

in-PharmaTechnologist.com presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at PhRMA, Dyax, Alnylam, Avi BioPharma, Pacira, Asmacure and Xceleon. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ​(PhRMA) has named Matthew Bennett ​ as its senior VP of Communications and Public Affairs. He comes to PhRMA from GolinHarris, where he was as Senior Vice President of health care communications and advocacy. Biotherapeutics developer Dyax ​ has changed the responsibilities of its executive team in response to its “ evolving business needs and strategic initiatives ​.” Ivana Magovcevic-Liebisch ​ has been appointed CBO and general counsel. George Migausky ​, Dyax’s executive VP and CFO since 2008, will add corporate comms, IR and compliance to his portfolio. Finally Dyax’ executive VP, chief R&D officer William Pullman ​ will oversee all aspects of research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs and technical operations. Kenneth Koblan ​, CSO at RNAi therapeutics firm Alnylam Pharmaceuticals ​ has decided to leave the firm. According to CEO John Maraganore “ Ken has decided to return to big pharma ​.” AVI BioPharma ​ has appointed Ed Kaye ​ as Chief Medical Officer. He joins AVI from Genzyme where he served as group VP for clinical development and therapeutic head for lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Pacira Pharmaceuticals ​has appointed two industry ​veterans ​ Laura Brege ​, executive VP of corporate affairs for Onyx Pharmaceuticals ​, and Paul Hastings ​, CEO of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals ​, to its board of directors. Pacira ​ also announced today that board member Carl Gordon ​, a founding general partner of OrbiMed, will be stepping down. Asmacure, ​ a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical focused on nicotinic receptor agonists, has named Martin Driscoll ​ as its new CEO. Prior to being elected Driscoll was CEO and a director of Javelin Pharmaceuticals Luc Vachon ​, president and former CEO of Asmacure ​, will be departing the company to pursue other business ventures. David Roblin ​ has been appointed to Xceleron’s ​ board in a non-executive capacity. Xecelreon has also named Stuart Best as senior director of operations.