Alexza Pharma Appoints Ops EVP

Robert A. Lippe has been appointed executive vice president of operations and chief operations officer at Alexza Pharmaceuticals. In this newly created position, Mr. Lippe is responsible for the company’s global operations, including strategic development and execution of clinical and commercial manufacturing, quality and compliance, supply chain and partner management, technology transfer, facilities, sustainment engineering and IT, in support of the company’s product and technology portfolio.
 
Mr. Lippe brings more than 20 years of experience in operations with multinational biopharmaceutical companies and national research labs. Mr. Lippe joins the company from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, where he served as head of global operations and operational excellence. Prior to Ironwood, Mr. Lippe worked for Genentech, where he served as head of manufacturing for the company’s Vacaville, CA operations. Mr. Lippe also held multiple positions at Genentech in strategic operations, drug substance and drug product manufacturing, and facilities. Mr. Lippe spent 10 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and six years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
“We are pleased to welcome Rob to our senior management team,” said Thomas B. King, president and chief executive officer. “Rob brings an extensive set of operational skills, along with a strategic sense and outlook. We look forward to his contributions as we continue the growth of the company through the global launch of ADASUVE and expansion of our product candidate pipeline.”