Wyeth announces retirement of research head

Pharmaceutical firm Wyeth has announced that its research head, Robert R Ruffolo Jr will retire at the end of the year.

Dr Ruffolo, who joined the firm in 2000 and is responsible for all of the company’s pharmaceutical research and development projects, will leave behind an “innovative” legacy, according to Wyeth president and chief executive officer Bernard Poussot.

“Bob has helped position our company for future growth through robust research and development programs in oncology, women’s health, vaccines, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and neuroscience,” Mr Poussot stated, adding that these development programmes are led by the firm’s multi-platform effort in developing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Ruffolo has previously been recognised with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America 2008 Discoverer’s Award for his work on the development of the pharmaceutical drug Coreg while working at GlaxoSmithKline.

He will be succeeded at Wyeth by Mikael Dohlsten later this year.

Wyeth provides a number of pharmaceutical products across a range of therapy areas, including women’s health, aches and pains, oral health, haematology and infectious disease.