Merck appoints ex-Pfizer exec as global head of oncology

Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck has appointed Maya Martinez-Davis as the new global head of its oncology franchise.

Reporting to Merck's Rehan Verjee, chief marketing and strategy officer of its healthcare business, Martinez-Davis will be based out of the firm's Massachusetts office.

In this role, she will be responsible for defining the pharmaceutical company's integrated global oncology strategies and delivering therapeutic launches, including the commercial launch of Avelumab, a non-small cell lung cancer therapy, which is expected in 2017.

Prior to joining Merck, Martinez-Davis had spent over a decade at Pfizer, occupying increasingly senior executive roles, most recently of which was as North America regional president, oncology.

Verjee said: “Maya's considerable experience in oncology, which includes the recent successful launch of Ibrance in the USA, make her a valued addition to our team as we endeavor to bring new therapeutic options to patients living with cancer.

“This is a very exciting time for our company as we advance our promising oncology and immuno-oncology pipeline and attract leading industry talent to Merck.”