MedImmune has made three key promotions in its research, human resources and regulatory affairs and has also hired a new head of vaccine manufacturing. Peter A. Kiener, D. Phil. has been appointed to executive vice president, research; Katy Strei to vice president, people and organization development, human resources; and Eileen Valenta to vice president, operations and compliance, regulatory affairs. Also, Shou-Bai Chao, Ph.D. has been named vice president of vaccine manufacturing.
   
“As MedImmune prepares for the next phase of its corporate growth, including dramatic acceleration within its product portfolio, it is imperative that we have strong leadership at the helm of all aspects of our business, but particularly within the research, HR and regulatory affairs functions,” said David M. Mott, chief executive officer and president.
   
“Peter is now driving forward our global research efforts, which span from our core antibody research center in Maryland’s biotech corridor to our discovery and development center in Cambridge, UK to our vaccine research facilities in the San Francisco Bay area of CA. Katy is ensuring that we have the right people — with the right skills — at the right time, which is critical for us to deliver on the promise of our pipeline. Eileen’s contributions will grow significantly with our maturing product portfolio and its need for regulatory affairs and compliance oversight. And, as we carry forward the potential next-generation of innovative vaccines, Shou-Bai is a welcome addition to the organization,” Mr. Mott added.
   
Dr. Kiener, promoted from senior vice president, research, will oversee all global research activities for the company. Since joining the company in 2001, Dr. Kiener has made expert and strategic contributions in supervising MedImmune’s expanding product portfolio, particularly in the areas of cancer and inflammatory disease research as well as translational sciences. Prior to joining the company, he spent 18 years with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Pharmaceutical Research Division, finally holding the position of director, immunology, inflammation, pulmonary and oncology drug discovery at the BMS facility in Princeton, NJ.
   
Ms. Strei, promoted from senior director, corporate capabilities, is responsible for the strategy and implementation of the company’s key people processes and programs, including performance management, succession planning and leadership development. In addition she oversees training and development initiatives. She has nearly 20 years of strategic leadership and talent development experience. Prior to joining the company in 2005, Ms. Strei served as director of executive development for Fannie Mae and served in various training and organization development roles at ManorCare Health Services and Sallie Mae.  
   
Ms. Valenta, promoted from senior director, product promotion review, regulatory affairs, is responsible for guiding product promotion review and for ensuring that overall operations of the regulatory affairs group are compliant with federal guidelines and consistent with the company’s global regulatory strategy. Prior to joining MedImmune in 2005, Ms. Valenta served as senior director, global regulatory affairs specializing in advertising and promotion for Baxter Healthcare, where she developed and managed promotional standards and processes and drove strategy for promotional efforts in the U.S. and Europe. Throughout her career she has served in regulatory affairs roles at Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Wellmark International and Schering Plough Animal Health.
   
Dr. Chao is responsible for all aspects of global vaccine manufacturing and supply. Dr. Chao will also contribute to the company’s commitments to pandemic preparedness. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Chao most recently served as assistant vice president, technical operations and product supply at Wyeth Biotech, where he gained experience bringing FluMist through development at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He was also responsible for global technical operations for the vaccine, Prevnar. He has more than 15 years of experience at Wyeth, Sanofi-Pasteur and Philom Bios in global vaccine and bio/pharmaceutical process and product development, manufacturing operations and quality assurance.