Eisai enhances oncology and neurology groups

Eisai has made three key appointments for its oncology and neurology business groups. Avinash Desai, M.D., has been made VP, Americas Oncology Medical Affairs for the Oncology Business Group (OBG) at Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Eisai Co. Ltd. Beyhan Zaim was appointed VP Commercial Development & Alzheimer’s Disease Global Lead, Neurology Business Group. Paul Hawthorne is now senior VP, U.S. Commercial, Neurology Business Group.

Photo: A. Desai

Dr. Desai will lead Eisai’s Oncology Medical Affairs team by creating and overseeing the medical strategy for the Oncology Commercial and Market Access businesses in the Americas. Dr. Desai, who has more than 20 years of experience in the oncology field, will work closely with the company’s clinical, commercial and OBG strategy organizations to develop, implement and deliver oncology life cycle plans. He will provide strategic leadership to the medical affairs team to ensure the delivery of key objectives.

Executives say Dr. Desai has designed and implemented clinical development and life cycle management plans for a variety of pharmaceutical products, including anti-angiogenic agents, taxanes, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and targeted therapies. He has served as the global lead of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs teams, and has experience in strategic planning for product development, long-range project and life cycle management strategies, and the development of contingency plans.

“With his extensive experience in medical strategy and supportive tactics for the portfolio of commercialized brands, life cycle management and assistance in the launch of products, Dr. Desai will be a tremendous asset for Eisai,” says Dr. Alton Kremer, chief clinical officer and chief medical officer, Global Oncology Business Group. “We are confident that he will play a large role in the continued growth of Eisai’s oncology business.”

Dr. Desai joined Eisai from Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he was global medical affairs leader, Oncology, responsible for leading the life cycle management of the company’s oncology/hematology products. Before Janssen, he was director, International Clinical Development Oncology, at Sanofi-Aventis, where he was responsible for the international development of oncology products in solid tumors and hematological malignancies and leading the NwDA submission activities for several products. Dr. Desai also led the oncology clinical research/medical affairs department at Genaera Corp. He has extensive research and clinical study management experience in HIV/AIDS, wet AMD, and respiratory therapeutic areas.

Dr. Desai received his M.D. from B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, which included a two-year residency in oncology and hematology at the M. P. Shah Cancer Institute in Ahmedabad. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery from B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, India.

Zaim will lead Eisai’s Neurology Commercial Development team in creating and driving commercial strategies for pipeline assets and late stage compounds approaching the commercialization stage. Executives say as the Global Lead for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), she will develop strategies and head the collaborative efforts of internal and external stakeholders to progress the development of existing as well as potential future AD assets. In addition to her functional responsibilities, she has been appointed as a standing member of the executive committee for the Neurology Business Group.

“With her deep expertise in the commercial development of in-line and pipeline compounds, and extensive knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disease states, Beyhan is a tremendous addition to Eisai,” says Ivan Cheung, chairman and CEO of Eisai Inc. and president of the Neurology Business Group. “We are confident that she will help drive the global growth of Eisai’s products, as well as work to ensure that Eisai remains a leader in the AD marketplace.”   

Zaim joined Eisai from Pfizer, where she held diverse global positions encompassing business development, global marketing, strategic planning, and all aspects of commercial development. She also held a number of international assignments, including Asia Business Development Director based in Hong Kong and Country Manager of Thailand. In her most recent roles, she served as VP of External Opportunities and New Business; VP of Commercial Development Primary Care Business Unit; and VP, Medicine Team Leader.

Zaim holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, the business school of Columbia University located in Manhattan. She earned her B.S. from the Rutgers School of Pharmacy.

Photo: P. Hawthorne

Executives say Hawthorne brings to Eisai significant expertise in transformational leadership, building and leading high performance teams, new product launches, P&L management, and lifecycle management.

“With his proven record for driving organizational and brand growth, we are excited to have Paul on our team,” Cheung says. “We look forward to his contributions to our commercial organization to maximize our neurology brands, and help in ensuring that the appropriate patients have access to our products.”

Hawthorne came to Eisai from Sanofi, where he spent the last 24 years in positions of increasing responsibility across all commercial functions and multiple therapeutic areas. Most recently, he held the position of VP of sales, in which he was responsible for leading retail, hospital and long-term care sales forces through three product launches in the last 18 months. Prior roles include serving as VP and head of Go To Market Center of Excellence and as VP and head of the Oncology Business Unit.
Hawthorne holds an MBA in marketing from LaSalle University. He earned his B.A. in communications from the University of Pittsburgh.