People spotlight — February 2022

The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) Research Foundation announced Craig Cowman of pharma distributor Cardinal Health as chairman of its board of directors. Stephen O’Dowd of Eisai, Inc., a research-based healthcare company, is vice chairman. Cowman, who served as the foundation vice chair for the past two years, assumes leadership of the board from Michael Conley, who retired from Novartis Pharmaceuticals at the end of 2021. As Cardinal Health’s executive vice president of global sourcing, Cowman manages strategic sourcing and supplier management enterprise wide. O’Dowd serves as executive director—market access at Eisai, in which he directs the groups responsible for executing the company’s pricing, contracting and trade relations strategies across all Eisai products.

Abzena, a partner research organization (PRO) for biopharma outsourced solutions, from concept to clinic and into good manufacturing practice (GMP) manufacturing, has appointed Kevin Lundquist as its CFO. Lundquist joins the company with 25 years in the financial industry, starting at Abbott Laboratories. Richard Milbank, the former CFO, will advise and remain with the company until March 31, 2022.

Capital Rx, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and health tech firm, has hired Angela Jones, DO, MS, FACOOG, as its medical director, while Kristin Begley, PharmD, has been selected as its chief growth officer. Dr. Jones brings over 15 years of health advocacy, medical leadership, and clinical experience to the organization, most recently serving as an OB/GYN physician with Pampa Regional Medical Center in Texas. In her new role, she will be responsible for providing clinical support and consultation for all Capital Rx clients. With more than two decades of financial and clinical expertise, Dr. Begley will oversee the entire “go-to-market” organization for the company.

Angela Jones, DO, MS, FACOOG. Credit: Capital Rx

Pfizer announced that William Pao, MD, PhD, will join the company as executive vice president and chief development officer, effective March 21, 2022. Dr. Pao will be a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team, reporting to chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla. He joins Pfizer from Roche, where he most recently served as the head of pharma research and early development (pRED) and oversaw the discovery and early development of a portfolio of new molecular entities to treat diseases related to cancer, neuroscience, ophthalmology, rare diseases, immunology, infectious diseases, and rare blood disorders, across seven global sites.

Merck announced new leadership for its Human Health business. Arpa Garay will lead Human Health Global Marketing and Jannie Oosthuizen will lead Human Health US; the company is also recruiting externally to fill the Human Health International position, but in the interim, Deepak Khanna will hold the role. These three positions will sit on the executive team and report directly to Robert M. Davis, Merck’s CEO and president. These appointments are now effective.

Envirotainer, a provider of secure cold chain solutions for the air transport of pharmaceuticals, has welcomed Sebastien Pradal to the team as the new head of CryoSure sales. Company executives say that Pradal’s background within the pharma supply chain will help him become a key player in the implementation of this new strategy.

Michael Cavacini. Credit: Rx-360

Hovione, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has appointed Jean-Luc Herbeaux, PhD, as its CEO, effective April 1, 2022. Before joining Hovione in May 2020, Dr. Herbeaux held multiple high-level leadership positions at Evonik, provider of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), where he last headed the health care business line. Guy Villax, who has been Hovione’s CEO for the past 25 years, will now serve as a member of the board and shareholder.

Rx-360, an international pharma supply chain consortium, has hired Michael Cavacini as its first head of marketing & membership development. As a member of Rx-360's leadership team, Cavacini will apply his 15 years of experience to accelerate the consortium's growth and bolster its client service through various marketing and membership development efforts.

OcyonBio, LLC has appointed Ricardo Zayas as its COO. OcyonBio is creating an advanced therapy CDMO that provides pre-clinical through commercial manufacturing, including process development, plasmid DNA, viral vectors, cell banking, cell processing and supporting testing capabilities. Zayas has over 30 years of experience managing internal, external and API pharmaceutical manufacturing with Sterling Drug, Warner-Lambert, Pfizer, Schering Plough, AMAG Pharmaceuticals and Avon Products.

Beghou Consulting, who offers said services in the pharma and healthcare industires, recently promoted experienced life sciences industry consultants Erik Cruz and Janardhan Vellore to partner. Cruz helps life sciences companies improve their commercial strategies, specializing in data management, technology development and forecasting. Vellore counsels life sciences clients in oncology, hematology, rare disease, specialty and primary care, and helps shape their commercial strategy and operations decisions.