MGI Pharma, Inc. has named Gerard T. Kennealey, M.D. senior vice president, clinical development. During an 18-year tenure at AstraZeneca, Dr. Kennealey served in a variety of clinical, research and medical affairs leadership roles.

A board certified medical oncologist with more than 30 years of experience, including 10 years as a practicing physician, Dr. Kennealey was most recently senior vice president and chief medical officer at Eximias.

“Gerry’s wealth of clinical development expertise, particularly in oncology, will be of substantial value to MGI Pharma as we continue to advance our broad pipeline of product candidates,” said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer of MGI Pharma. “Execution on our clinical development initiatives is clearly critical to our success, and I look forward to working with Gerry as we work to build a leading biopharmaceutical company.”