People In Brief

Bellus names Bellini president, Cavell deputy chair: Canadian firm Bellus Health Inc. appoints Roberto Bellini to succeed his father, Francesco Bellini, as president and CEO effective Jan. 1. The parent company of nutraceutical firm Ovos Natural Health said Dec. 15 that Bellini has been with the Montreal-based firm for eight years, most recently as VP of business development. Francesco Bellini announced his resignation in June but will remain chairman. Bellus also named Charles Cavell deputy chairman. He has been a board member since June 2009. Ovos plans a 2010 U.S. launch of its Vivimind cognitive health supplement, contingent upon FDA's go-ahead for what the firm attests would be the first new dietary ingredient to reach U.S. stores after failing as an investigational new drug candidate. Ovos already markets the homotaurine-based product in other countries (1"The Tan Sheet" Dec. 21, 2009)