Leadership changes at Biogen Idec, Exelixis, Abbott, Pierre Fabre; Shionogi reorganizes in USA

US biotechnology firm Biogen Idec has announced that George Scangos has been appointed chief executive, effective July 15. Dr Scangos, who replaces Jim Mullen, who recently retired under pressure from billionaire investor Carl Icahn, will also be named to the board of directors.

Dr Scangos, aged 62, brings nearly 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He joins Biogen Idec from Exelixis, where he has served as president and CEO since 1996. Previously, Dr Scangos spent 10 years at Bayer Corp. Before joining Bayer in 1987, Dr Scangos was a Professor of Biology at Johns Hopkins University for six years.

By any standard, though, the choice of Dr Scangos is a huge leap, noted Reuters. He goes from managing a company with no commercial products and a market value of some $417 million, to managing one of the biggest biotechs in the world, with a market value of more than $13 billion. Some analysts are concerned Dr Scangos may not have the commercial experience needed to take on the challenges facing Biogen, which sells the multiple sclerosis drugs Avonex and Tysabri.

Mr Icahn has pressured Biogen's management since 2007 when the company abandoned a plan to sell itself. He gained two board members in a 2009 proxy fight and another two board members this year to avert the company's third proxy challenge from the investor in as many years.