Eisai appoints new president

Cynthia Schwalm has been named as the new president of Eisai’s commercial manufacturing and marketing arm Eisai Inc, the group has announced.

In her new role, Ms Schwalm will be responsible for all the company’s pharmaceutical operations.

She brings around 25 years of industry experience to the post, including stints working in senior positions in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices.

Most recently, Ms Schwalm spent five years working for Amgen, eventually becoming vice-president and general manager of the firm’s 500-strong US oncology business unit, which has annual revenues of over $5 billion (2.55 billion pounds).

Commenting on the appointment, Eisai North America president and chief operating officer Lonnel Coats said Ms Schwalm would make an “exciting addition” to the company.

“She will be invaluable to our future growth, as we continue to advance our human health care mission to satisfy unmet medical needs and increase benefits to patients and their families,” he added.

Eisai’s products include Aricept, a treatment for mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer’s that the company claims is the world’s most widely-prescribed therapy for the disease.