Genzyme appoints chief operating officer

Genzyme has selected David Meeker to the newly-appointed role of chief operating officer (COO) in a move to improve the company’s organisational efficiency.

Mr Meeker, who is currently employed as the firm’s executive vice-president, will be tasked with taking charge of organising Genzyme’s business units, market access functions and portfolio potential.

He moves into this role after being employed by the company since 1994, overseeing the launch of products such as Aldurazyme and Fabrazyme as president of its global genetic disease business.

Henri Termeer, Genzyme’s chairman and chief executive officer, stated that the introduction of the COO post has been made necessary by the company’s growing size.

“We are working to create the organisational structure that will enable us to capitalise on the many opportunities that lie ahead,” he added.

Last month, the company published positive clinical trial results from a new study of mipomersen, its treatment for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.