Dutch chemicals and ingredients manufacturer DSM has announced the promotion of Wei-Ming Jiang to president of DSM China, effective as of May 1.

Currently senior vice president of strategic projects Asia in DSM's corporate planning department, Jiang will succeed Stefan Sommer who will continue as a strategic advisor to the managing board at DSM.

Prior to joining DSM, Jiang worked for 15 years at biotech firm Novozymes, and was active in promoting awareness and implementation of sustainable entrepreneurship in China. He will continue his role as vice chairman of the China Business Council for Sustainable Development alongside his new position at DSM.

French speciality pharmaceutical group Ipsen also announced this week the appointment of a new executive vice president of manufacturing and supply organisation. Eric Drapé will take over the role following the retirement of Peter Wilson, who will remain in an advisory capacity.

Drapé brings 16 years' of experience working at Novo Nodisk, having been responsible for six plants and most recently in the position of senior vice president of the company's diabetes finished products division.

Over in the US, Somaxon Pharmaceuticals named James L'Italien as senior vice president of regulatory affairs and quality assurance, a newly created position at the company. L'Italien has spent over 20 years' management expertise in the regulatory and quality aspects of pharmaceutical product development, according to the company.

Somaxon are relying on L'Italien's expertise to help successfully prepare for its submission of a New Drug Application for its insomnia drug, Silenor (doxepin).

Prior to joining the firm, L'Italien was vice president, global regulatory affairs at Baxter BioScience, and has also held management positions with Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Ortho Biotech and SmithKline Beecham.

Drug delivery firm MonoSolRx also announced the appointment of a new senior vice president of pharmaceutical operations earlier this week. Larry Kranking will take up the position and concentrate on the firm's thin film drug delivery platform, based in Indianapolis in the US.

With 30 years spent in the pharmaceutical manufacturing business, Kranking was most recently president of Lang Medikaments, heading a contract manufacturing firm specialising in production of sterile ophthalmic and parenteral products. Prior to this, kranking also worked for Eisai and Boehringer Ingelheim.