Chugai appoints US CMO

Japanese company Chugai Pharma has named Dr Athos Gianella-Borradori as chief medical officer of its US subsidiary.

Dr Gianella-Borradori was most recently chief medical officer at Norwegian firm Clavis Pharma having joined the company in 2010 from Merck Serono.

At Merck Serono he served as head of clinical development for small molecules in onco-haematology and his prior experience includes clinical roles across Europe at Novartis, Crucell, Bavarian Nordic and Cyclacel.

The appointment at Chugai Pharma marks Dr Gianella-Borradori's first US role. As chief medical officer he has responsibility for all clinical activity in the US and will participate in a leadership role on scientific and translational committees for its Tokyo-headquartered parent company.

He will also represent Chugai, in which Swiss pharma company Roche owns a majority stake, in its relationships with the US FDA, academia, clinical investigators and patient communities.