Merck chief executive replaces Pfizer boss as PhRMA chairman
pharmafile | April 17, 2015 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | George Scangos, Ian Read, Joaquin Duato, Kenneth Frazier, PhRMA
Chairman and chief executive of Merck Kenneth Frazier is to replace Pfizer boss Ian Read as chairman at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
The US pharma body has also confirmed that its current president and chief executive John Castellani is retiring from his position at the beginning of next year, and that Biogen CEO George Scangos has been named as its next chairman-elect – whilst J&J’s pharma chair Joaquin Duato is to become PhRMA’s next board treasurer.
“PhRMA is pleased to welcome Ken Frazier as chairman, and we extend our thanks and gratitude to Ian Read for his invaluable contributions over the last year,” says Castellani. “Our member companies have never invested more in researching and developing innovative, targeted new medicines to fight life-threatening diseases. Ken’s proven leadership ability and deep experience in the biopharmaceutical industry will be incredible assets for our organisation and its member companies.”
Prior to Frazier’s top role at Merck which began in 2011, he served as its president overseeing the company’s major divisions comprising global human health, its sales and marketing unit for pharma and vaccine products, manufacturing and Merck research labs.
He was previously president of Merck global human health from 2007 to 2010 and as general counsel, looked after its legal and public affairs functions and the Merck Foundation from 1999 to 2007.
Before joining Merck in 1992 Frazier was a partner with the Philadelphia law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath, and now in addition to his position with PhRMA, he sits on the boards of Weill Cornell Medical College and Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Pennsylvania State University and Cornerstone Christian Academy in Philadelphia.
Frazier who was already the chairman-elect of the PhRMA board anyway, says: “Our industry is poised to translate our most promising scientific breakthroughs into meaningful treatments capable of tackling the most urgent and vexing medical challenges of our times. We stand committed to driving progress for patients today – and hope for tomorrow.
“This imperative of inventing and innovating with the patient in mind has come to represent the industry I am proud to represent. I am honoured to step into this role, and congratulate George and Joaquin as they take on new leadership roles. Together, and in partnership with all stakeholders in the health care ecosystem, we’ll work to create a policy environment that is conducive to building a sustainable, value-driven health care system that serves all of us.”
Brett Wells
Related Content
US pharma lobby launches legal action against the Trump administration over drug pricing proposals
US industry organisations including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) have launched legal …
Pharma boosts lobby spending in first quarter of 2019
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) trade lobbyists have spent near record levels …
Pfizer CEO Ian Read’s pay packet cut from $27.9m to $19.5m
Ian Read has seen his total compensation cut from a sum of $27.9 million in …
