Pfizer VP joins CTI board

Frederick W Telling, vice president of corporate policy and strategic management at Pfizer, will join the board of directors of Cell Therapeutics (CTI). Dr Telling currently manages the worldwide policy function of Pfizer and externally represents the company’s interests in order to reinforce its influence and improve its forecasting of competitive trends and regulation.

Dr Telling joined Pfizer in 1977 and has worked in its pharmaceutical and diagnostic products division and after a number of other promotions was appointed as vice president of corporate policy and strategic management in 2001.

Phillip M Nudelman, chairman of the board of CTI, said: “We are pleased to welcome Dr Telling with his leadership and background in pharmaceutical development, regulatory policy, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions.”

He added that Dr Telling’s experience made him an “ideal addition” to the board of CTI and would assist in the progression of giving its Xyotax and pixantrone pharmaceuticals wider access to patients who need it.

Earlier this month, CTI presented the results of research displaying the influence of oestrogen on the uptake, metabolism and anti-tumour efficacy of Xyotax and the consequent intracellular release of free paclitaxel.

The data showed that women treated with Xyotax had an improved survival rates compared to those women receiving standard chemotherapy.