CDMO Halo Pharmaceutical has appointed Lee Karras as its chief executive officer. Mr. Karras is an established pharmaceutical business executive with over twenty-five years of healthcare industry related experience. Prior to joining Halo, he held executive leadership roles in several businesses. Most recently he was president of IBA Molecular North America, a manufacturer and distributer of radiopharmaceuticals. Mr. Karras has a proven track record of building scalable, yet cost effective businesses as well as managing complex contract research, manufacturing and pharmaceutical services businesses. Having worked in the contract pharmaceutical services industry over the last two decades, Mr. Karras has had to adapt and develop new business models to keep pace with the ever-changing pharmaceutical landscape.

Halo also named Barry Lederman as its chief financial officer. Mr. Lederman has extensive financial and international pharmaceutical experience, having led teams of several public and private companies with global operations. Prior to joining Halo, he served as the vice president and chief financial officer for Eisai Inc. with operations in the Americas Region, the chief financial officer at Wedgewood Pharmacy, Nycomed US Inc., and Qualitrol Company LLC, a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation. He also spent 10 years with Roche in positions of increasing responsibility within finance, culminating in his appointment as senior vice president, head of business analysis and controlling at Roche Centralized Diagnostics, headquartered in Mannheim, Germany.

“Lee and Barry have proven track records of growing and improving companies in the pharmaceutical and CDMO sector,” said Aaron Davenport, chairman, Halo Pharmaceutical, and managing director, SK Capital, Halo’s majority owner. “Lee led a pharmaceutical manufacturing business for SK Capital for the past several years with tremendous success, and is ideally suited for taking Halo from a smaller CDMO to a top-tier industry player. Similarly, Barry’s experience in acquisitions, team building and system and process improvement are perfect for Halo. Together they will provide Halo with exceptional leadership and ensure that Halo’s customers receive best-in-class service and quality.”