AVI BioPharma names chief executive

Chris Garabedian joins US biopharmaceutical firm from Celgene

Chris Garabedian will become chief executive and president of AVI BioPharma on 1 January 2011.

Garabedian, who has been a director of the Bothell, Washington-based biopharmaceutical firm since June, will continue as a member of the board. David Boyle, who held the post of interim ceo and president, will continue in his role as chief financial officer and senior vice president.

Garabedian brings to AVI broad biotechnology and pharmaceutical experience. He has been vice president of corporate strategy at Celgene since July 2007. Before this, he held several key roles at Gilead Sciences between 1997 and 2005, including vice president of corporate development, vice president of marketing and vice president of medical affairs.

He also held various commercial and product development roles at COR Therapeutics and Abbott Laboratories and began his career as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry.

‘We believe Chris' experience is ideal for driving products from early development through commercialisation, while also leveraging business development opportunities to unlock further value from our RNA-based therapeutics technology platforms,’ said William Goolsbee, AVI's chairman.

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