New president and chief executive for Aeterna Zentaris
pharmafile | April 16, 2013 | Appointment | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â aeterna zentarisÂ
Aeterna Zentaris has announced that David Dodd has been appointed as its president and chief executive, succeeding Juergen Engel.
Dodd has also been appointed director on the company’s Board of directors for the oncology and endocrinology drug development firm.
“With the appointment of David, we are taking an important first step in transforming Aeterna Zentaris from a company focused on R&D to a company focused on commercializing the promising compounds in our pipeline,” said Juergen Ernst, chairman of the Board of directors.
“I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to lead Aeterna Zentaris,” said Dodd. Dodd’s executive management experience in the pharma and biotech industries spans more than 35 years. From December 2007 to June 2009, Dodd was president, chief executive and chairman of BioReliance Corporation.
From October 2006 to April 2009, he served as non-executive chairman of Stem Cell Sciences, where he oversaw the development and implementation of a strategic growth plan, implementation of an executive team, and the sale of the company to Stem Cells, in April 2009.
Dodd held various senior management positions at Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, the Mead Johnson Laboratories Division at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Laboratories.
“We sincerely appreciate Dr. Engel’s leadership over the past five years,” said Ernst. “He has been dedicated to leading our research program and building our pipeline of viable compounds. We wish him success in his future endeavours.”
Engel, who will pursue his passion in research and development, said, “I have enjoyed my years at Aeterna Zentaris, and I am confident the company is in good hands, and will thrive under the leadership of David Dodd.”
