Bristol-Myers Squibb appoints new research leader

Bristol-Myers Squibb has augmented the expertise of its research leadership team with the appointment of Dr Mike Burgess.

The company has named Dr Burgess its new senior vice-president for discovery medicine and clinical pharmacology, a role that will make use of his background as an expert in molecular biology, paediatrics and paediatric oncology.

He received his medical training and PhD at the University of Bristol and is the former interim head of Roche's pharmaceutical research and early development organisation, while he also previously worked at Lilly as a medical fellow.

Dr Francis Cuss, senior vice-president for research and development at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "Mike's broad clinical expertise, cross-therapeutic global team leadership and proven operational excellence will enable Bristol-Myers Squibb to continue to execute its strategy of ensuring sustainable delivery of an innovative pipeline of new medicines."

Last month, the company announced a new global alliance with The Medicines Company for Recothrom, a topical haemostat to control non-arterial bleeding during surgical procedures.