AstraZeneca's Jan Lundberg to be head of global discovery research at Eli Lilly

US drug major Eli Lilly has named Jan Lundberg, currently executive vice president and head of global discovery research at Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca, is to become the successor to Steven Paul, executive vice president, science and technology, and president, Lilly Research Laboratories, who will retire from Lilly effective February 28, 2010. Dr Paul will work closely with Dr Lundberg ' who will join the US firm as early as January - to ensure a successful transition, the company noted.

During the last 10 years at AstraZeneca, as head of global discovery research, Dr Lundberg was instrumental in delivering more than 150 drug candidates to the company's pipeline. He had responsibility for discovery research and supported clinical development of potential therapies for cancer, infection, central nervous system disorders, pain, cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, and inflammation. He was also responsible for discovery-enabling technologies, discovery informatics, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, translational science and safety assessment. He has had a leading role in external activities, including in-licensing of projects and technologies, as well as acquisitions of biotech companies. His organization was involved with both small molecules and biologics.

AstraZeneca has named Christer Kohler, who now heads global discovery for central nervous system and pain control, as interim head of drug discovery and rese