Former GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier has been appointed chairman of board of directors at US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Alzheon.
The firm focuses on brain health, memory and ageing and its lead product is an oral amyloid aggregation inhibitor that targets Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheon’s founder, president and chief executive officer Martin Tolar said: “JP will provide invaluable insights and guidance as we advance our lead oral amyloid aggregation inhibitor, ALZ-801, into a phase III clinical programme targeting a genetically-defined Alzheimer’s disease population, and execute on our long-term strategy to bring innovative therapies to patients with neurodegenerative disorders.”
Garnier served as SmithKline Beecham’s chief executive officer, having joined the company in 1990 as president of pharmaceuticals for North America.
He subsequently became GSK’s first CEO following its formation from the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham in 2001 and he held that position until in 2008.
Garnier then became chief executive officer of Pierre Fabre Laboratories and chairman of biotechnology company Cerenis.
He is currently chairman of the board of directors for Swiss biopharmaceutical company Actelion.