Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals appoints CEO

Rare disease specialist Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals has appointed Michael Minarich as chief executive officer.

Micharich has served as the company's interim chief executive since July last year, bringing over 30 years of marketing and business development experience in the pharmaceutical industry to the role.

Prior to joining Sigma-Tau, Micharich was the Pharmacia Corporation's market company president in the Czech Republic and oversaw the merger of Searle with Pharmacia and Upjohn.

He has considerable experience in growing startup businesses and integrating over-the-counter and consumer product mergers and acquisitions, having spent 20 years doing so across Asia, Canada and Europe.

Marco Brughera, chief executive and global head of rare disease at Sigma-Tau Rare Disease, said: “Mr Minarich has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the past year, and his appointment comes at a time of development in the company, as it expands through registration, life-cycle management and commercialisation of its proprietary research and development pipeline.

“The appointment of the chief executive role reflects the commitment Sigma-Tau has to the field of rare diseases, and to the significant impact we expect these medicines will ultimately have on their respective physician and patient communities.”