Schering-Plough has made several changes in its research and development operations. Thomas Koestler, Ph.D., was promoted to executive vice president, global development, Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI) and James MacDonald, Ph.D., was promoted to executive vice president, preclinical development, SPRI; both report to Cecil Pickett, Ph.D., senior vice president and president, SPRI. Koestler and MacDonald will both continue as members of the Operations Management Team (OMT), also.
Koestler will set strategic direction and implementation plans for the new development organization, which will include worldwide clinical development, pharmaceutical sciences, global regulatory affairs and global project management. Before joining Schering-Plough in 2003 as executive vice president, global regulatory affairs and global project management, Koestler was senior vice president, global regulatory affairs, Pharmacia Corporation.
MacDonald will continue to have direct responsibility for the drug safety and metabolism group as well as the newly created SPRI computer validation group. He will be responsible for assuring a steady flow of new compounds for the development pipeline by establishing effective working relationships with the appropriate groups in discovery, pharmaceutical sciences and clinical research. MacDonald joined Schering-Plough in 1994 as senior vice president, drug, safety and metabolism.
“These changes are designed to further strengthen Schering-Plough Research Institute’s development operations worldwide, as we transform the company into a successful global competitor beginning with our anticipated turnaround this year,” said Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive, Schering-Plough.