Appointments: Pharmaxis, Bone Medical

Sydney-based Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has appointed former Structural Genomix VP of drug discovery Ian Macdonald to the position of chief technical officer.

The Perth-born Macdonald has 25 years of US and European experience, including executive positions at Structural Bioinformatics, SIBIA Neurosciences (now part of the Merck Research Laboratories) and Merrell Dow (now part of Sanofi-Aventis), and has been responsible for the development and clinical testing of six compounds.

"The appointment of Dr McDonald will enhance the company's ability to research and develop new drugs, plus his experience with US FDA submissions will be invaluable. It is significant that Pharmaxis has attracted an experienced pharmaceutical executive of Dr McDonald's calibre, and an indication of the strength of the Australian healthcare sector that Dr McDonald has chosen to leave the US Biotechnology industry for Australia," said Pharmaxis CEO Alan Robertson.

Meanwhile, Bone Medical (ASX:BNE) has appointed Texas-based Michael Redman as CEO to replace Jim Phillips, who stepped down from the position at the end of 2004.

Chairman Michael Perrott said Redman was a perfect fit for the company and an ideal choice to take the company to the next level. "He has worked in large international companies such as Corning Inc, American Home Products, American Cyanamid and Monsanto as well as US biotech companies. He has a strong foundation in sales and marketing, has worked extensively in drug delivery and product development and is well versed in Bone's core areas of arthritis and osteoporosis," he said.