Appointments: Celgene's COO Departs, New CEOs At Abeona, Kleo and Corvidia And Board Changes

Scott Smith, Celgene Corp.’s president and chief operating officer, is leaving the company, effective immediately. His abrupt departure follows a series of product setbacks for the firm, and his major responsibilities will be assumed by chairman and CEO Mark Alles. Smith had served as president and COO since Apr. 2017. He joined Celgene in 2008 and had held several senior positions, including as vice president, global marketing, inflammation and immunology (I&I), senior vice president, global head of I&I and president, global I&I. Celgene said it was now modifying its executive team structure “to enhance leadership focus on building Celgene for continued long-term success”. In addition to existing responsibilities, Alles will now be responsible for strategic leadership of its global hematology and oncology franchise, global I & I franchise, manufacturing, regulatory, and clinical development.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel cell and gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases, has appointed Carsten Thiel chief executive officer. Timothy Miller will remain president and assume the position of chief scientific officer in charge of the company’s expanding clinical and preclinical research programs