NicOx strengthens R&D organisation through new hires

French biopharmaceutical company NicOx has hired Dr Pascal Pfister as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Dr Pfister will report to Michele Garufi, Chairman and CEO, and will have overall responsibility for NicOx's R&D activities, notably the research, regulatory affairs, clinical development and drug development departments.

Pfister brings extensive experience and leadership to NicOx from his 19 year career at Novartis and Sandoz. Pfister's previous management career includes 19 years at Novartis & Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in France, Switzerland and in the US, where he has occupied positions of growing responsibility in a range of therapeutic fields, including the inflammatory and cardiometabolic disease areas.

Pfisterís most recent position was vice-president of global therapeutic area head for respiratory and dermatology, clinical development and medical affairs, where he was responsible for managing a large team across the EU, the UK and the US.

NicOx has also further strengthened its R&D team through the appointment of Dr Jacques Djian as cardiometabolic leader, who will advise and manage NicOx' R&D in this area.

Dr Djian comes to NicOx with 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and was previously the senior scientific consultant for cardiovascular and metabolic disease issues at Novartis.

Djian has also worked for Wyeth Research as global senior director of the cardiovascular area and at Sanofi, where he was scientific director of clinical development.