Optimer Pharmaceuticals appoints chief operating officer
pharmafile | May 14, 2013 | Appointment | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â Â
Biopharma firm Optimer Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Eric Sirota as chief operating officer.
“Eric has tremendous experience and has demonstrated leadership in building pharmaceutical brands in the US and abroad and has dedicated his career to making important new medicines available to the medical profession for the benefit of patients,” said Dr Hank McKinnell, chairman and chief executive of Optimer.
“His appointment fills a significant need at Optimer, and will allow me to focus more of my time on the strategic review process we announced in late February. Keeping the core business functioning well during this process is critical to Optimer and its stockholders, and Eric will be responsible for maintaining and growing our operations.”
Sirota operated a consultant practice in the healthcare industry for more than three years, consulting with numerous pharma companies and healthcare service organisations. He has served as a consultant to the company since March, providing product marketing and business advice to Optimer’s Board of directors and McKinnell.
Previously Sirota served as president of Commercial Services of inVentiv Health, a provider of clinical, commercial and consulting services to the healthcare industry.
Prior to June 2009, Sirota served as an executive of Pfizer, most recently as vice president of Pfizer’s US Marketing, Commercial Strategy and Innovation and Regional Sales, responsible for the neuroscience and pain franchises.






