Pharmaceutical company Eisai Inc., headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, has appointed a new executive team to lead its drug development subsidiary H3 Biomedicine, the company said in a news release.
H3, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is focused on discovering new genomics-based cancer drugs.
Eisai has named Ping Zhu as president and chief scientific officer of H3 and Ross Pettit as deputy president, the company said.
“We are delighted to have Ping and Ross assume these key leadership roles within our global Oncology Business Group,” said Terushige Iike, president of Eisai’s Oncology Business Group. “Each are strategic and inspiring leaders who will help us build on the extraordinary momentum that this unique discovery center has achieved since its creation in 2011 as part of Eisai’s efforts toward our vision for a world without cancer.”
Zhu has been with H3 since 2012, most recently as head of discovery and research. Three H3 oncology compounds reached Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials under his leadership, the company said.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and looking forward to working with our colleagues for a new chapter and productive second decade of H3,” Dr. Zhu said. “Our overarching goal remains the same: working to realize the promise of precision oncology to help patients with cancer live healthier, longer lives.”
Pettit began his career with H3 in 2018 as vice president of clinical operations and has more than 30 years of drug development experience, the company said. He will oversee H3’s business operations, compliance, human resources and business development functions.
Eisai is the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co. Ltd. with its headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations located in New Jersey.
