Medgenics appoints former Shire executives as new CEO, CFO

Medgenics (MDGN) announces the appointment of a new executive leadership team with the goal of accelerating the development of the company’s gene therapy platform and maximizing the value of the company’s technology assets. The new executives are Michael Cola, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Leaman, M.D., Chief Financial Officer, and Garry Neil, M.D., Global Head of Research and Development. In addition, on September 13, Cola joined the Medgenics’ Board of Directors. Cola was most recently President of Shire plc’s (SHPG) Specialty Pharmaceuticals business. Leaman was most recently Vice President of Commercial Assessment at Shire plc. Andrew Pearlman, Ph.D., the company’s Founder and previously the company’s President and CEO, has retired as of September 13, and is continuing to serve on the Board of Directors and as a senior advisor to the company. This executive team will be based in the U.S. R&D and manufacturing will continue to operate in Misgav, Israel and U.S. manufacturing will continue to operate in San Francisco.