Celgene appoints new board member

Celgene has announced the appointment of British healthcare industry veteran Dr Richard Barker to its board of directors.

Dr Barker is known as a global thought leader in the fields of healthcare systems and government policy, thanks to his work as director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

The Oxford University-qualified expert has held key leadership roles with Chiron Diagnostics, IBM Worldwide Healthcare Solutions and McKinsey and Company, while acting as a board member for various European and international healthcare federations.

He has extensive experience of working closely with government health agencies, addressing critical issues that will be of relevance to Celgene as it expands globally.

Robert Hugin, Celgene's chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Dr Barker's international perspective will enhance our ability to navigate through an increasingly dynamic healthcare landscape and provide patients access to our innovative therapies."

This follows the appointment of Dr David Gillen as the company's new medical director for the UK and Ireland earlier this month.