Celgene's CEO Robert Hugin named chairman of PhRMA board

Robert Hugin, chairman and CEO of Celgene, has been appointed chairman elect of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), succeeding Lilly's John Lechleiter.

In addition, Pfizer's president and CEO Ian Read was named as Hugin's eventual successor, while Merck & Co's CEO Kenneth Frazier was appointed as board treasurer of the US trade body.

Hugin (pictured right) became CEO of Celgene in June 2010 having served as president and chief operating officer since May 2006. He was named chairman of the US-based pharma company in 2011.

During his time in these senior roles, the company has expanded from a US-focused biopharma to a global company with operations in more than 50 countries.

In a blog post following his appointment, Hugin commented: “I look forward to working with the exceptional leadership of PhRMA and its member companies to create this landscape of innovation that will enable the next great advances in health, economic growth and societal benefit.”

He also outlined his priorities during his time at the helm of PhRMA, including defending intellectual property and the incentives for innovative therapies.

“Just think what we can do in the years ahead,” he wrote. “A new treatment that delayed the onset of Alzheimer's disease by five years could reduce the number of people with the disease 45 percent by 2050 - saving $447b in costs to current programs. Just a one percent decrease in deaths from cancer could generate $500bn in societal benefit.

“With our efforts, these goals can be achieved, but we must preserve and strengthen the environment that allows this medical innovation and patient access to flourish.”

Pfizer's Read was appointed chairman-elect of the board, having previously served as chairman of PhRMA's Latin America Regional Committee and represented Pfizer on the International Section Executive Committee of PhRMA.

He was appointed CEO of Pfizer in December 2010 and was later named chairman of the company in December 2011.

Frazier was named CEO of Merck & CO in May 2010 before being appointed chairman of the company in January 2011.