Draxis this week announced the appointment of its new CEO and new chief operating officer. Dan Brazier took over the reins at the firm as CEO on January 1, having joined the firm ten years ago.

Brazier was named COO in 1995, prior to which he was senior vice president of corporate development and strategic planning.

Jean-Pierre Robert takes on the role of COO of Draxis after almost three years with the company. Robert was formerly president of the firm's radiopharmaceuticals business unit, and in July 2007 assumed the role of president of Draxis Specialty Pharmaceuticals, a position he will retain. Prior to joining Draxis, Robert spent several years with Tyco Healthcare (Canada).

Donald Picker has joined Edgeline Holdings subsidiary Intertech Bio as its acting COO.

Picker joins the firm as it pushes forward with its oncology pipeline, bringing experience from previous positions with Tapestry Pharmaceuticals, Callisto Pharmaceuticals and a number of other firms.

Biopharmaceutical firm Relypsa today announced the appointment of Ronald Krasnow as senior vice president, intellectual property and chief patent counsel.

In the newly created position, Krasnow will be responsible for overseeing all activities relating to ensuring intellectual property protection for the firm's technology and product portfolios.

Krasnow joins Relypsa from senior positions with Symyx Technologies and experience with the US Patent and Trademark Office among other roles.

Ikaria Holdings has announced interim CEO David Shaw's successor, with Daniel Tasse appointed as the firm's new president and CEO. Shaw will now serve as executive chairman and chairman of the board.

Tasse most recently served as general manager of Baxter International's Pharmaceutical and Technologies business, and previously held management positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Upjohn.

James Kramer has joined BioReliance as vice president of operations, US Biologics. In his new role Kramer will have direct responsibility for programme management, quality, GMP-cell banking, clearance services, molecular biology, cell biology microbiology, virology, in-vivo studies, support services and facilities.

Kramer joins the firm from Talecris plasma Resources, and previously held positions at Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics and Pacific Hemostasis Division of Curtin Matheson Scientific.