James C. Mullen has been named chief executive officer of Patheon, effective immediately. Mr. Mullen has also been appointed a director of Patheon’s board of directors.

Ramsey Frank, Patheon’s chairman, stated, “The Board of Directors is very pleased that Jim Mullen will be joining Patheon. Mr. Mullen’s extensive pharmaceutical manufacturing background and proven track record of driving growth and profitability give us confidence that, under his leadership, Patheon will be able to realize its full potential as an industry leader.”

Mr. Mullen was most recently with Biogen Idec, Inc., where he held the position of chief executive officer and president for 10 years. Mr. Mullen held those roles at Biogen, Inc. from 2000 to 2002, and was also chairman until 2003, when he led Biogen’s merger with Idec. Prior to that, Mr. Mullen held various operating positions at Biogen, including vice president, Operations, and several manufacturing and engineering positions over a nine-year period at SmithKline Beckman, Inc.

Mr. Mullen’s 30-year career includes extensive experience in pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Mullen’s breadth of industry experience includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.

Mr. Frank remarked, “The board also wants to thank Peter Bigelow, Patheon’s President of North American Operations, for assuming the role of interim chief executive officer while the search for the new CEO was conducted. His stewardship in this role over the last two months is greatly appreciated and we look forward to Peter’s continuing role as a key Patheon executive.”

Read our interview with Mr. Bigelow in the January/February 2010 issue of Contract Pharma!