Opportunities in the cardiometabolic field are increasing, following a period of limited investment from larger biopharma players. Still, challenges remain, such as accessing funding at the earlier stages of development. 

San Francisco–based, privately held NGM Biopharmaceuticals has appointed Jeff Jonker president, and Dr David Woodhouse chief financial officer, both effective immediately. The appointments are aimed at expanding the company in line with its collaboration with Merck & Co. Mr Jonker was previously senior vice-president of corporate and business development at Theravance, and has also held leadership positions at Genentech and Satori Pharmaceuticals. Dr Woodhouse joins NGM from Goldman Sachs where he was managing director and co-head of US biotechnology investment banking.

It will be months before Eli Lilly knows whether the encouraging signals in its Phase III studies for solanezumab are good enough for the US FDA to sign off on additional clinical trials with new primary endpoints, but analysts, patient groups and biotech firms cheered the company's announcement that its Alzheimer's therapy missed cognitive and functional primary endpoints yet showed positive activity in patients with mild forms of the disease.

Neways CEO moves to executive chairman; Perrigo international regulatory affairs team grows; GNC names Fortunato chairman; Marketing veteran Kras joins Inergetics; Allison leads Sato’s U.S. operation; Lundeen becomes VP/GM for Nutrex Hawaii.