Covidien adds new R&D execs within pharma, imaging businesses

Covidien has added appointed four new executives to its research and development (R&D) leadership team for its pharmaceutical products and imaging solutions businesses.

Michael J. Giuliani, MD, has been named as vice president (VP) of R&D for both pharmaceutical products and imaging solutions. He will lead an R&D organization dedicated to identifying and delivering advancements to the pharmaceutical and imaging markets, the Hamilton, Bermuda-based Covidien said.

With more than 25 years of medical expertise, Giuliani is a clinical neurology specialist, who has served as a professor in the department of clinical neurology at the University of Pittsburgh. Covidien said he comes from Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, where he was chief medical officer and executive VPof product development.

Covidien said that James L. Young, PhD, has joined as VP of R&D operations for both businesses. Young will guide all planning, operation and monitoring activities for the pharmaceutical and imaging R&D organizations, the company said. He also will manage all R&D support activities for proprietary products, oversee pharmaceutical development operations and be responsible for all clinical development programs.

Prior to Covidien, Young was VP of product development at Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals. He brings 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having served in management, strategic development, sales and scientific roles at companies, such as Nexeon, AstraZeneca and Merck, Covidien said.

The company also has added Ralph A. Heasley, PhD, to the Covidien team as VP of global R&D technology, pharmaceutical products. Heasley will be responsible for overseeing and directing pharmaceutical R&D activities, specifically technical products and processes, the company said.

Heasley has more than 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, having held executive-level and other positions at Xanodyne, Quintiles Transnational, 3M Pharmaceuticals (Riker Laboratories), Merrell Dow, Marion Merrell Dow and Hoechst Marion Roussel.

Randel Frazier will continue as VP of global R&D, imaging solutions, Covidien said. With more than 25 years experience in medical device and pharmaceutical R&D, he will lead all aspects of the imaging development efforts, with a dual focus on exploring new uses for existing imaging capabilities and on developing new products that leverage Covidien’s competencies in radiology, nuclear imaging and contrast delivery systems.

Previously, Frazier served as VP of imaging R&D at Tyco Healthcare and has served in R&D, manufacturing, sales and marketing roles for several other companies, including Colorado Medtech, Gambro and 3M.

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