Amgen appoint new head of research

Amgen has announced the appointment of David Lacey as senior vice-president and head of research at the company, with Mr Lacey taking up this role immediately.

Having been involved in medical research for nearly 25 years, Mr Lacey has experience in both industry and academia. He joined Amgen as an associate medical director of experimental pathology in 1994 and has since served in roles of increasing responsibility, including site leader at the company’s San Francisco facility.

Mr Lacey has also recently worked as interim head of research at Amgen, with the company stating that he has displayed the necessary management skills to oversee the firm’s research efforts over a number of therapeutic fields.

Roger Perlmutter, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: “David is a seasoned executive with an impressive record of accomplishment in drug discovery and development.”

He expressed confidence that the company would continue to act as a market leader in the discovery of novel pharmaceutical products under the management of Mr Lacey.

In March 2007, Amgen announced the opening of a new development centre in London – its largest outside the US – with the facility opened by prime minister Tony Blair.