Celgene appoints new member of board of directors

Celgene has announced the appointment of Dr Michael Friedman as the newest member of its board of directors.

Dr Friedman is the current president and chief executive officer of the cancer research institution City of Hope and is a renowned healthcare sector veteran.

His previous roles include a spell as acting commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, while he has also acted as senior vice-president of research and development for medical and public policy at Pharmacia Corporation.

He has also been presented with a number of industry accolades, including the prestigious Surgeon General's Medallion in 1999.

Robert Hugin, Celgene's chief executive officer, said: "Dr Friedman's guidance will be of tremendous value as we continue to deliver innovative therapies to patients with cancer and other serious diseases around the world."

Last month, Celgene published its financial results for 2010, a year which saw the company achieve a 34 percent growth in sales compared to 2009.