John Boslego, MD, has been named senior vice president and head of development for Takeda’s Global Vaccine Business Unit, effective December 1, 2014. He’ll succeed Ralf Clemens, MD, who held the role since the launch of the Vaccine Division in January 2012.
 
Dr. Boslego will be responsible for accelerating global vaccine development activities with a focus on lead development programs for dengue, norovirus and seasonal flu. He will report to Rajeev Venkayya, MD, president of Takeda’s Global Vaccine Business Unit.
 
Dr. Boslego has worked for more than 40 years in vaccine clinical R&D. Most recently, he was director of the Vaccine Development Global Program at PATH, where he built and advanced the development of vaccines against pneumococcus, rotavirus, ETEC, shigella, meningococcus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, polio and Japanese encephalitis. Prior to this, he served as executive director of Biologics, Clinical Research at Merck & Co., where he directed a global team responsible for the development and licensure of a portfolio that included a Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine, various pediatric combination vaccines, a rotavirus vaccine, and the first HPV vaccine.
 
“John brings a wealth of vaccine development and global health experience to Takeda at an important time,” said Dr. Venkayya. “He takes the helm of an outstanding Development team that was built by Ralf Clemens, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to deliver our exciting pipeline.”