IMS Health has appointed Kimberly Gray chief privacy officer. Gray joins from Pennsylvania health insurer Highmark, where she held the same post, responsible for safeguarding the health info of 27 million members.

Christian Lajoux was appointed president of Sanofi-Aventis, in France. Lajoux was previously president and general manager of pharmaceutical operations in France. He will report to Hanspeter Spek, vice president. Prior to Sanofi, Lajoux worked for the Sandoz Group, now a part of Novartis.

Takeda announced the formation of a global advisory board, which includes four former executives at top pharmaceutical companies.

Cadence Pharmaceuticals tapped Scott Byrd as SVP and chief commercial officer. Byrd's responsibilities will include sales, marketing and supply operations. He will report directly to Ted Schroeder, president and CEO. Byrd was most recently US brand leader, prasugrel, at Lilly, where he was responsible for all commercial planning and marketing activities in the US prior to the launch. Before that, he worked as senior director, global brands, cardiovascular and acute care for Lilly; he also served as director of sales and marketing for Lilly's cardiovascular business unit.

Arnold Friede, a former top Pfizer lawyer and one of the industry's leading legal minds, is leaving McDermott Will & Emery LLP amid a round of layoffs but will continue his FDA law practice elsewhere.

Hillis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer focused on small molecule compounds based on endogenous adrenal steroid hormones, announced the promotion of James Frincke to president and CEO.

Market research firm RG+A appointed Steve Fleishmann to senior vice president, client strategies. Fleishmann most recently led the US biopharma practice at UK-based MR firm Holden Pearmain. He also spent nine years in the marketing research department at Pfizer.

Epsilon hired Alex Kooluris as VP, general manager of its Purple@Epsilon group. Kooluris will report to Andrew Bast, SVP, general manager at Purple@Epsilon (who joined in agency in March) and will support major pharmaceutical clients with overall management, development of brand strategy, relationship management and creative assets.

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharma focused on women's healthcare and pain management, announced the appointment of Michael Valentino to president and CEO. Valentino was previously president and CEO at Adams Laboratories.

Eli Lilly announced the appointment of R. David Hoover to its board of directors, effective yesterday. Hoover is the chairman, president and CEO of Ball Corporation, a metal and plastic packaging manufacturer. As a member of Lilly's board, Hoover will serve on both the audit and compensation committees.