Gerresheimer taps Metzner as CFO | Personnel Moves

Gerresheimer said late last month that it tapped Dr. Bernd Metzner as its new chief financial officer, set to take position at the latest by July 1 next year.

Prior to joining the Dusseldorf-based company, Metzner acted as CFO at Ströer, a position he took up in June 2014. He also held positions at Bayer from 2002 to 2011, holding the CFO position for Bayer Italy and the global CFO position for Bayer’s pharma division.

“In Dr. Bernd Metzner, we have gained a highly experienced chief financial officer for Gerresheimer AG. Along with chief executive officer Dietmar Siemssen and management board member Dr. Lukas Burkhardt, Gerresheimer is led by a strong team who will extend the company’s growth trajectory on a lasting basis,” supervisory board chair Dr. Axel Herberg said in a prepared statement.

“Pharma and cosmetics are highly promising, attractive markets. Gerresheimer is a strong global partner to both of these industries. I look forward to being able to bring my experience to bear at Gerresheimer going forward,” Metzner said in a press release.

Organovo’s Samsara Sciences CSO & prez Presnell steps away

Organovo (PINK:ONVO) said late last month that its subsidiary Samsara Sciences’ chief scientific officer and president Dr. Sharon Presnell is stepping away from their position.

The move went into effect on December 5, the San Diego, Calif.-based company said in an SEC filing.

The move comes as Dr. Presnell looks to relocate to the east coast to “pursue an opportunity with a non-profit foundation and to be closer to family,” Organovo said.

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GI Dynamics adds Carter as CFO

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) said on Tuesday that it named Charles Carter as its new chief financial officer.

In addition to his position as CFO, Carter will also serve as the Boston-based company’s treasurer and will replace Dave Bruce as its secretary. Carter has nearly 16 years of experience as a finance exec in the medical industry, GI Dynamics added.

“I am excited to join the GI Dynamics management team at this exciting time in the company’s development. It is clear that this company is committed to serving the large and rapidly growing population of patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity with an innovative treatment option that is clearly needed,” Carter said in a press release.

“On behalf of the GI Dynamics board of directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Carter. We have been working with Mr. Carter for several months now on a more limited basis, and we now look forward to the impact of his expanded leadership role at GI Dynamics as we prepare for the commencement of the GID 18-1 pivotal trial in the U.S. and the EndoBarrier clinical trial in India,” prez & CEO Scott Schorer said in prepared remarks.

The healthcare joint venture started by Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan has picked up well-known health insurance exec Dana Gelb Safran as its new head of measurement, according to a CNBC report.

Prior to joining the still unnamed venture, Safran served as chief performance measurement and improvement officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, according to the report.

Safran is slated to begin their role with the company next year, CNBC said.

Aethlon Medical (NSDQ:AEMD) said yesterday it named Dr. Timothy Rodell as its new interim CEO, effective December 10, succeeding James Joyce who will stay on as a consultant during the transition.

Prior to joining Aethlon, Rodell served as prez & CEO of GlobeImmune, San Diego-based Aethlon said.

“We are delighted to welcome Tim to Aethlon. Tim’s depth and breadth of experience in financing, structuring corporate deals, clinical development and regulatory strategy, both in the U.S. and internationally, will be of great value as we prepare Aethlon for the next phase of development. On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Jim Joyce for his leadership, commitment and accomplishments as chief executive officer. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors,” board chair Dr. Charles Fisher, Jr. said in a press release.

“I am both honored and thrilled to join Aethlon at this time. I believe the Aethlon Hemopurifier has great potential for treating life-threatening viral infections and potentially cancer. I look forward to working with the team at Aethlon and its collaborators to continue to advance the science and in an effort to bring important treatments to patients and create value for shareholders,” Dr. Rodell said in a prepared statement.

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