Cephalon appoints new VP

Cephalon has announced that it has promoted Mike Barr to the position of vice president and general manager of the firm’s manufacturing, packing and distribution site located in Salt Lake City, Utah. This appointment is effective immediately.

On taking this role, Mr Barr will continue in his existing responsibilities of managing the manufacturing facility, overseeing the production of products by Cephalon at the site and representing the company to the local community in the area.

The facility in Salt Lake City has been expanded over the last two years, with this process overseen by Mr Barr. At the site, Cephalon procduces Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet), its therapy for breakthrough pain management in cancer patients who are opioid-tolerant.

Peter E Grebow, executive vice president of worldwide technical operations at the firm, said: “Cephalon has developed into one of the largest life sciences companies in Utah and Mike has been integral to this growth.”

He added that Mr Barr had also played a role in developing the relationship between Cephalon and the state of Utah.

In October 2006, Cephalon announced positive results of its phase III clinical trial investigating the efficacy of Fentora in opioid-tolerant patients suffering with chronic lower-back pain.