Pharmaceutical Market Europe • September 2025 • 36
APPOINTMENTS
US Food and Drug Administration
George Tidmarsh
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed George Tidmarsh as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Tidmarsh brings over 30 years of experience in biotechnology, clinical medicine and regulatory science to the role, having led the successful clinical development of seven FDA-approved drugs. He has served as founder and chief executive officer of multiple biopharmaceutical companies, including Revelation Biosciences, Horizon Pharma and Metronome Therapeutics. Tidmarsh was also the founding co-director of Stanford University’s Master of Translational Research and Applied Medicine programme, and has most recently been serving as an adjunct professor of paediatrics and neonatology at the university’s School of Medicine.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Cristian Massacesi
Bristol Myers Squibb has appointed Cristian Massacesi as executive vice president, chief medical officer and head of development. Massacesi most recently served as chief medical officer of AstraZeneca and Alexion, and as oncology chief development officer at AstraZeneca. He also previously held senior research and development positions at Pfizer and Novartis.
Pharmathen
John Nason
Pharmathen has appointed John Nason as group chief executive officer. Nason brings three decades of global pharmaceutical leadership experience to the position. He previously served as head of Teva Pharmaceuticals' biologics operations and president of Teva Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. He has also held operational roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis and Sandoz.
Centauri Therapeutics
Debra Barker
Centauri Therapeutics has appointed Debra Barker as chief medical officer. Barker previously held several senior roles over 17 years at Novartis, including development head for infectious diseases, immunology and transplantation. She was also chief medical officer at Destiny Pharma and Polyneuron Pharmaceuticals, and served in positions at Roche and GSK.
Hansa Biopharma
Richard Philipson
Hansa Biopharma has appointed Richard Philipson as chief medical officer. Philipson joins the company from Calliditas Therapeutics, where he served as chief medical officer. He previously spent 16 years at GSK, including as therapeutic area head, rare diseases, and was also executive medical director at Takeda and chief medical officer at Trizell.
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals
Keith Robinson
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals has appointed Keith Robinson as chief medical officer. Robinson, a critical care and pulmonary physician with 18 years of clinical experience, joins Meitheal from Syneos Health, where he most recently served as executive medical director. He also previously held the position of associate medical director at IQVIA.
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals
Lonnie Brent
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals has appointed Lonnie Brent as senior vice president of medical affairs. Brent, a doctor of pharmacy by trade, most recently served as senior vice president of medical sffairs at TerSera Therapeutics. He was also previously regional director, medical science liaison team at Takeda Oncology, and held roles at DRECTED and ABL Medical.
Aegle Therapeutics
Scott Braunstein
Aegle Therapeutics has appointed Scott Braunstein as chairman of the board. Braunstein has served as president and chief executive officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, and was senior vice president, strategy and chief operating officer at Pacira Pharmaceuticals. He also currently serves on the board of directors for companies including RAPT Therapeutics and Site One Therapeutics.
Draig Therapeutics
Douglas Williams
Draig Therapeutics has appointed Douglas Williams as independent chair of its board of directors. Williams was most recently president of research and development at Sana Biotechnology, after serving as founding chief executive officer of Codiak Biosciences. He also previously held the position of executive vice president of research and development at Biogen.