GSK appoints worldwide business development SVP

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has this week announced the appointment of Adrian Rawcliffe as senior vice president of worldwide business development, research and development (R&D).

The promotion being effective immediately, Mr Rawcliffe replaces Monef Slaou in the role, with Dr Slaou being promoted to chairman of R&D.

Mr Rawcliffe was most recently managing partner and president of GSK’s venture-capital business, SR One, being appointed to this role in 2005. Prior to this, he served as vice president of genetics and discovery deal structuring and vice president of transactions and ventures.

In his role, Mr Rawcliffe will be responsible for business development activities worldwide, including in-licensing, alliance management and collaborations, while reporting to Dr Slaoui.

Dr Slaoui commented that Mr Rawcliffe would bring an established ability to work with existing and future business partners in a mutually beneficial manner.

“He will be leading a function that is embedded in our R&D organisation and committed to making our R&D strengths an advantage for our partners as well as four ourselves.”

In November, GSK announced that Bill Louv was to be appointed senior vice president of information technology at the end of January 2007, after the retirement of Ford Calhoun.