Michael Kamarck, Ph.D., has been promoted to president, Technical Operations & Product Supply (TO&PS),
Wyeth. Dr. Kamarck will be responsible for all aspects of technical operations and product supply for the company, including its Pharmaceutical, BioPharma, Vaccine, Consumer Healthcare and Nutritional units. He succeeds
Charles Portwood, who has been appointed to the new role of executive vice president, TO&PS Operational Excellence. Both positions will report to Joseph Mahady, president, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Kamarck joined the company in 2001 and successfully led the expansion of Wyeth's global biotechnology manufacturing network. Dr. Kamarck previously served as executive vice president, TO&PS where he was responsible for biotechnology and pharmaceutical operations at 13 international sites and for process development of the late-stage pipeline. Before joining Wyeth, Dr. Kamarck served as senior vice president of operations for the newly formed Bayer Biologicals.
"Dr. Kamarck brings strong leadership as well as superb technical and scientific skills to this critical role. He will continue the transformation of our TO&PS organization as we supply medicines of exceptional quality to our customers and patients," said Mr. Mahady.
Mr. Portwood joined Wyeth in 2001 as president, Global Supply Chain, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and has guided the transformation of the TO&PS organization.
"Charlie has taken our TO&PS organization to a whole new level of competency and performance," said Mr. Mahady. "He has been instrumental in creating this succession plan and in building a depth of talent in the TO&PS leadership team. We are pleased he will remain an integral part of the Wyeth organization. We are counting on him to support improvement and standardization efforts across the Wyeth manufacturing network."
GlaxoSmithKline received approval from the FDA for Promacta (eltrombopag) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy. Promacta is the first oral thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist therapy for the treatment of adult patients with chronic ITP.
Chronic ITP is a bleeding disorder marked by increased platelet destruction and/or inadequate platelet production in the blood. Promacta has been shown to stimulate cells in the bone marrow to produce platelets.
As a result of the approval, Ligand Pharmaceuticals will be entitled to receive a $2 million milestone payment from GSK. Ligand will also earn royalties in the range of 5%-10% on annual sales of the drug.
GSK also reported positive Phase II data in patients with thrombocytopenia associated with hepatitis C and initiated two Phase III trials in patients with hepatitis C in 4Q07. A Phase II study in patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia has been completed, a Phase III study is ongoing in chronic liver disease and a Phase I study is ongoing in patients with sarcoma receiving the adriamycin and ifosfamide regimen. GSK expects an MAA submission for the long-term treatment of ITP by the end of the year.
Magazine
