Shire chief executive joins InterMune board

Shire's chief executive Angus Russell has been appointed to the board of directors at InterMune.

The Shire leader will serve as a non-executive board member at the biotechnology company, which specialises in the development of innovative therapies in pulmonology and fibrotic disease.

Dan Welch, InterMune's chairman, chief executive and president, said he expects Mr Russell's expertise to prove invaluable in the boardroom.

"We look forward to drawing on his experience as we execute the launch of Esbriet in Europe, prepare to launch Esbriet beyond Europe and advance our other programmes," he commented.

Approved by European regulators in March, Esbriet is a treatment for the lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It was introduced to the German market in September and a full rollout is due to begin next year.

Before joining Shire, where he has served as chief executive since June 2008, Mr Russell was vice-president of corporate finance at AstraZeneca.