Biogen Names More Top Execs to Lead Spin-off Bioverativ for Hemophelia, Other Blood Disorders

Biogen recently hired two more executive management team members for Bioverativ, a Biogen spin-off company that is expected to be up and running in early 2017. Bioverativ will focus on the discovery, research, development, and commercialization of new treatments for hemophilia and other blood disorders.

Rogerio Vivaldi, MD, is Bioverativ’s new executive vice president and chief global therapeutic operations officer. John T. Greene is the new executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Biogen is committed to positioning Bioverativ for success as it prepares to carry forward our dedication to the hemophilia community,” Biogen CEO George A. Scangos, PhD, said in a press release. “Rogerio and John will be instrumental players in that success, alongside the rest of the executive team.”

Bioverativ’s CEO John Cox said Vivaldi’s expertise in the industry and his extensive knowledge of rare diseases are critical for delivering transformative medicines to patients.

“And, given John’s strong track record of fiscal and operational management across all of the major disciplines within finance, I am confident in his ability to lead our global finance organization and be an excellent representative for our shareholders,” Cox said.

Vivaldi has spent two decades delivering orphan drug products to patients worldwide, particularly during his tenure at Genzyme where his medical and professional expertise in the rare disease business earned him a reputation for being a passionate patient advocate. Most recently, he served as chief commercial officer at the gene therapy company Spark Therapeutics. He was also cofounder, president, and CEO of the startup Minerva Neurosciences.

Vivaldi received his medical degree from Universidade do Rio de Janeiro Medical School. He completed his residency in endocrinology at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and his fellowship in the department of genetics at Mount Sinai Hospital Center in New York. He holds an MBA from COPPEAD, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

Vivaldi’s responsibilities at Bioverativ will include building and leading the company’s commercial organization, and overseeing sales and marketing of its lead products ELOCTATE and ALPROLIX — both extended half-life therapies for treating hemophilia A and hemophilia B, respectively.

“Bioverativ is a unique opportunity to join a new company with a strong commercial business, growing pipeline, and an experienced team dedicated to delivering results for patients, providers and caregivers,” Vivaldi said.

Greene joins Bioverativ from Willis Group, an insurance firm based in the U.K. There, Greene served as the company’s chief financial officer. He helped execute an ambitious merger and acquisition program, including Willis’s recent merger with Towers Watson to form the global advisory, broking, and solutions company Willis Towers Watson.

Previously, Greene spent eight years working for HSBC Holdings. He served as chief financial officer for the Global Retail Bank and Wealth Management business. Previously, he spent 12 years in various roles at General Electric.

“I am excited about the opportunity to apply my experience to a field that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those it serves,” Greene said. “I look forward to working with the Bioverativ leadership team to create a leading organization that I believe is well-positioned for growth based on world-class science and a focus on addressing serious unmet needs in the blood disorders community.”

Greene will be responsible for managing the company’s financial and fiscal operations and overseeing its finance, information technology, and technical operations. He will work closely with Bioverativ’s business development and research and development teams.

For more information, visit https://www.biogen.com

Sources:
Biogen