Leo Pharma appoints vice-president for research

Leo Pharma has announced the appointment of Dr Anders Akerlund as senior vice-president of research and development.

Dr Akerlund will join the company on January 17th 2011 after he departs his current position as vice-president for global clinical development at AstraZeneca's Swedish division.

The industry veteran has served at AstraZeneca and its predecessor Astra since 1995, where he was originally employed in the capacity of associate director in charge of global clinical development in rhinitis and allergy.

Prior to this, he operated in the Swedish healthcare and hospital service system, the field in which he first began his career in 1982.

Last month, Leo Pharma announced that it will be moving to outsource 20 percent of its medicine production to external contractors over the course of the next five years.

This move is intended to help the company become a more flexible and cost-effective operation, while maintaining its commitment to quality.