GlaxoSmithKline appoints drug discovery senior VP

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has named a new senior vice president of drug discovery to fill the vacancy left by Allan Baxter, who has been appointed senior vice president of medicines development.

Dr Patrick Vallance, head of the Division of Medicine and professor of Clinical Pharmacology at University College London, has been selected by GSK to fill the senior vice president of drug discovery role.

His role focuses on the middle section of the research and development process, where compounds go from being considered promising leads to the point where they have proved their therapeutic concept.

“Patrick combines scientific accomplishment with clinical insight born of broad experience in caring for patients,” said Tachi Yamada, chairman, research and development.

“He has managed a staff of diverse scientific disciplines, and he understands the interdependence of different types of biomedical-research organisations, whether they are found in industry, academia, or government.”

Dr Vallance will take charge of the Centres of Excellence for Drug Discovery, the Centre of Excellence for External Drug Discovery and the Clinical Pharmacology and Discovery Medicine department.

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