Pfizer hires two new research and development leaders

Pfizer has announced two appointments within the leadership structure of its worldwide research and development organisation, taking place with immediate effect.

Dr Michael Ehlers has been hired as the company's group senior vice-president and head of biotherapeutics research and development, as well as becoming site head of Pfizer's Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts locations.

He will oversee the entire biotherapeutics research and development organisation, while Pfizer will move its inflammation and immunology research unit to its pharmatherapeutics research and development business in connection with this appointment.

Meanwhile, Dr John Lin has been selected as senior vice-president and chief scientific officer of Rinat, Pfizer's biotechnology unit, which operated within its worldwide research and development organisation.

Dr Lin will play an instrumental role in helping Rinat to build a strong portfolio of cancer immunotherapeutics and to optimise their development in combination with various targeted therapies.

The company also confirmed this week that Dr Charles Reay Mackay will join the company as chief scientific officer for its inflammation and immunology research unit, as previously announced.