Pfizer appoints head for new oncology business unit

Garry A Nicholson has been named as the new general manager of Pfizer’s oncology business unit.

Mr Nicholson, whose new job title is senior vice-president, will be directly responsible for clinical development, medical affairs, commercial development and sales and marketing.

Worldwide president Ian Read described Mr Nicholson as “highly regarded” and added his experience made him “exceptionally qualified to lead this important new growth area for Pfizer”.

Previously at Eli Lilly, Mr Nicholson spent ten years as executive director of its oncology business unit and as global oncology platform leader.

He said: “This is a very exciting time to join Ian and the rest of Pfizer’s leadership as they seek to seize promising opportunities in the growing global oncology market.”

Pfizer has also released a list of medical, scientific and patient organisation grants and charitable contributions it has made in the US in the first quarter of 2008, totalling total $9.97 million (five million pounds).