Wyeth makes new hires

The pharmaceutical division of Wyeth has appointed Cathy Kerzner to the position of senior vice-president and general manager of the company's Women's Health Care Business Unit.

Kerzner will lead the commercial aspects of Wyeth's portfolio of the unit's products on a global basis and will report to Joseph Mahady, president of global businesses of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

She had spent 14 years with Wyeth in a number of commercial capacities before advancing to the position of vice-president of business strategy and then vice-president of commercial strategy for Cardinal Health. Kerzner founded EKR Therapeutics, a US-based start-up specialty pharmaceutical company.

In addition, Wyeth has promoted Dr Michael Dey to the position of president of scientific affairs for women's health. Dey will focus on efforts to advance the understanding of the science that supports both new and existing female healthcare products at the firm. He will also report to Mahady.

Dey joined Wyeth-Ayerst R&D in 1984 and headed Wyeth's generic pharmaceutical business for eight years. Since 2001, he has served as president and general manager of the Women's Health Care arm.