Synta Pharmaceuticals Brings In GlaxoSmithKline-Sanofi (France) Alum Anne Whitaker For CEO Gig

Synta Pharmaceuticals Brings In GlaxoSmithKline-Sanofi (France) Alum <b>Anne Whitaker</b> For CEO Gig Synta Pharmaceuticals Brings Anne Whitaker Over From Sanofi

August 6, 2014
By Krystle Vermes, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff

Today, Synta Pharmaceuticals announced that Anne Whitaker has joined the company to fill the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer. Whitaker will also be added to the Board of Directors beginning on Sept. 2.

Whitaker is best known for her previous role as the President of Sanofi, a North American pharmaceutical company. Now Whitaker will bring her 20 years of industry expertise to Synta Pharmaceuticals.

“I am excited to join the very talented and dedicated team at Synta at this important time in the Company’s evolution,” said Whitaker. “I look forward to working with this team to build a world-class global oncology and immunology business that delivers improved health to patients, innovative treatment solutions to healthcare providers and value to shareholders.”

While Whitaker was the president of Sanofi, she oversaw all pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare operations within North America. She was also a member of the Global Leadership Team, Global Commercial Operations Committee and U.S. Regional Management Committee. Sanofi will lose a big part of its company with Whitaker playing for a new team.

“It is with great pleasure that the Board welcomes Anne Whitaker as Synta’s new Chief Executive Officer,” said Keith Gollust, Chairman of the Board of Synta. “Anne brings a wealth of experience to Synta, gained over a distinguished career in executive roles with two of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies. Her knowledge and experience in business strategy, product development, regulatory affairs, leadership and organizational development and commercialization will be invaluable to the company as we continue to advance Ganetespib through late stage development.”

Whitaker began her career in pharmaceuticals at Delta Communications back in 1991. She eventually joined the Upjohn Company in the same year as a metabolic disease specialist. By 1992, she was working for GlaxoSmithKline as a sales representative. While with GlaxoSmithKline, she held the positions of Vice President of Critical and Supportive Care, Senior Vice President of Leadership and Organization Development, and Senior Vice President and Business Unit Head, Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Urology. In September 2011, she joined Sanofi and took on the role of President of North American Pharmaceuticals.

Synta Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing small molecule drugs. The company aims to treat severe conditions such as cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Whitaker will undoubtedly have a positive impact on Synta Pharmaceuticals’ objectives moving forward.

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