Roche taps AstraZeneca for inflammation discovery hire

Dr. Harsukh Parmar has rejoined Roche from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) as the head of translational and experimental medicine for its inflammation discovery and translational area at its Nutley, New Jersey campus, according to a statement from the company.

Parmar will be responsible for developing compounds to the life-cycle investment point. Additionally, he’ll also collaborate with discovery and late-stage clinical development to develop strategies based on biomarkers to ensure the selection of compounds suitable for rapid progression through development.

Jacques Banchereau, head of the inflammation and virology discovery and translational areas, and Nutley’s chief scientific officer, said Parmar will also provide expertise and advice on target selection and the development of early stage compounds in the biotechnology company’s inflammation pipeline.

Prior to Roche, Parmar worked for AstraZeneca in the United Kingdom where, since 2007, he had served as early development director, vice president and global head of early clinical development in the respiratory and inflammation therapeutic area. Parmar had previously worked for Roche as global clinical science leader and director in oncology, immunology, virology and transplantation in Welwyn, England.

Parmar’s hire comes at a time of strategic expansion for the company. Last month, Roche launched a manufacturing unit in Nutley that specializes in producing dosage forms for early to mid-stage clinical trial programs.

Waseem Malick, vice president, pharmaceutical and analytical R&D, described the center as ’a vitally important milestone” for the Nutley site as well as pharmaceutical research and early development at Roche. The Roche Center of Excellence produces dosage forms of highly potent compounds for preclinical safety studies and phase 1 and 2 clinical studies. Construction began on the center in August last year after plans were approved in April.