New CEO at NextPharma

Franck Latrille has been named chief executive officer of NextPharma, succeeding Bill Wedlake, who will step down on Sept. 30, 2011. Mr. Latrille most recently held executive board positions at Merck-Serono SA, including deputy chief executive officer and executive vice president Marketing and Sales. Previously at Serono SA he held executive board positions with responsibility for pharmaceutical manufacturing and product development operations.

David Finnigan of NextPharma’s shareholder Sun European Partners, commented, “NextPharma is in a tremendous position to extend its share of the outsourcing market and its Board of Directors is pleased to be able to appoint an executive with Frank’s experience and track record to lead NextPharma to its next stage of growth and development.”

Mr. Wedlake joined NextPharma as chief financial officer in 2000, the same year that it was founded. In 2003 he was appointed chief executive officer and joined the board. Mr. Wedlake is working closely with Mr. Latrille to ensure a smooth transition process, according to a NextPharma statement. The rest of the company’s executive management team remains unchanged.

Mr. Finnigan remarked, “I am very grateful to Bill for his considerable contributions to NextPharma over the past 11 years and I wish him every success for the future.”