PPD Appoints CEO

David Simmons has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer of PPD. Mr. Simmons joins the company from Pfizer, where he served as president and general manager of the emerging markets and established products business units. Mr. Simmons will be based in PPD’s headquarters in Wilmington, NC.
 
“We are pleased to welcome David to PPD,” said Stephen H. Wise, managing director of The Carlyle Group and PPD board member. “David is a proven leader whose deep industry knowledge and vision will enable PPD to further its partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the globe.”
 
Mr. Simmons spent 15 years with Pfizer in several senior roles. In his most recent position, Mr. Simmons was responsible for the emerging markets and established products business units, which represented approximately $18.5 billion of Pfizer’s annual revenue. Additionally, he was responsible for the biosimilar development program. Prior to this role, Mr. Simmons held various positions of increasing responsibility in information technology and pharmaceutical operations, including roles in several countries around the world.