Exelixis

Exelixis, Inc. has appointed Arthur DeCillis, M.D. to the position of vice president, clinical research, and Anne Champsaur, M.D. to the position of vice president, drug safety. Both appointees will report to Gisela M. Schwab, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer.

“With 14 compounds in clinical development, and more expected as we move forward, effective management of our clinical pipeline is critical for our success,” said Dr. Schwab. “Drs. DeCillis and Champsaur each have contributed to the development and commercialization of multiple products that have advanced patient care. We believe their expertise will enhance our ability to bring innovative therapies to market safely and efficiently. Our continued ability to attract and retain such experienced individuals reflects the numerous opportunities at Exelixis to make a positive difference in the lives of patients with cancer and other serious diseases.”

Dr. DeCillis joins Exelixis from Novartis, where he was senior and then executive director of Phase II/III Oncology Development. Previously, he held positions of increasing responsibility in Oncology Global Clinical Research at Bristol-Myers Squibb, culminating as group director. Prior to his career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. DeCillis was a member of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Outreach Program, both at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Champsaur joins Exelixis from CV Therapeutics, Inc., where she was executive director, Drug Safety — Medical Affairs. Previously, she held senior director positions in the departments of Regulatory Affairs as well as Medical and Safety Services at ALZA Corp. and Worldwide Pharmacovigilance at Sangstat Corp., where she also was deputy head, Clinical Research and Regulatory. She also served as  director of Clinical Development and Pharmacovigilance and director of Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance at the IMTIX Transplant Business Unit of Pasteur-Merieux Connaught.