Pfizer names cardiovascular and metabolic disease research unit leader

Pfizer has announced the appointment of Dr Morris Birnbaum as the new leader of its cardiovascular and metabolic disease research unit.

As chief scientific officer of the business, Dr Birnbaum will take charge of key clinical programmes in crucial areas such as type 2 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy and hyperlipidaemia, leveraging his significant scientific expertise.

He previously served as the Willard Ware professor of diabetes and metabolic diseases and associate dean for biomedical core resources at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and was also an investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Over the course of his career, he has authored more than 200 scientific papers and is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards.

Dr Rod MacKenzie, group senior vice-president and head of PharmaTherapeutics research and development at Pfizer, said: "He is among the leading contributors to our contemporary understanding of the regulation of intracellular metabolism and an excellent addition to our team."

The company is currently re-focusing on the development of innovative new therapies after last month abandoning its efforts to secure a takeover deal with UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.