Biogen lures Novartis executive to its team

Alisha Alaimo has been appointed senior vice president of US Therapeutic Operations at US biotech major Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB), where she will lead sales and marketing, market access, patient services and commercial operations and strategy.

Ms Alaimo will join Biogen from Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NIVN: VX), where she was vice president and head of its Cardiovascular Business Unit. At Biogen she will work to drive the uptake of the company’s industry-leading portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies and increase access for Spinraza (nusinersen), the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. Ms Alaimo will also work to prepare the US market for potential approvals of new therapies from across the company’s late-stage neuroscience pipeline. She will report directly to chief executive Michel Vounatsos.

“Alisha has a remarkable track record of success within highly competitive therapeutic areas. She joins Biogen at an important time as we work to build upon our MS leadership and define a future focused on bringing forward new therapies for neurologic and neurodegenerative diseases,” said Mr Vounatsos. “Her experience developing new markets for breakthrough therapies, commitment to patients and customer focus, and experience driving complex and dynamic organizations make her an ideal leader to help move Biogen forward,” he added.