Merck Serono names new chief medical officer

Merck Serono has announced the appointment of Dr Steven Hildemann as its new chief medical officer and head of global medical and safety.

Dr Hildemann is a board-certified internist and cardiologist and joins the company from Merck Sharp and Dohme, where he served as associate vice-president for clinical trial operations in Europe.

In his new role, he will take responsibility for global medical affairs, drug safety and external scientific affairs, supporting the safe and appropriate use of and access to Merck Serono medicines worldwide.

He will also take charge of medical governance, chairing the company's medical safety and ethics board and bioethics committee.

Annalisa Jenkins, global head of research and development at Merck Serono, said: "His patient-centric focus is well aligned with our commitment to delivering differentiated new medicines to people living with unmet medical needs around the world."

This comes after the company opened its new global headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany last October, a move that is expected to continue to attract top-level talent to the company.