Biogen’s president of research and development to retire

Biogen’s president of research and development Cecil B Pickett is to retire from the position.

He was first appointed to transform the company’s portfolio and build an exceptional leadership team for the next decade.

The firm now has 22 programmes in at least the phase II stage and its pipeline is one of the strongest in the industry, which can rival companies that are larger than it, according to chief executive officer of the business James C Mullen.

Dr Pickett commented on his retirement: “This is the right time for me to help in the transition to a new leader to carry these and other programmes forward.”

He will continue to head the research and development department until his successor has been appointed. Both internal and external candidates will be considered for the role.

After Dr Pickett finally steps down, he will remain on Biogen’s board of directors.

In other news, the company announced this week that its phase III study of Rituxan in lupus nephritis did not achieve the desired results.