CRO PPD has appointed Gregory Dennis, M.D., vice president of global product development. Dennis will be therapeutic area head, providing medical and scientific expertise for rheumatology, immunology and inflammatory diseases.

"Dennis brings extensive product development and commercialization experience and will play a key role in helping clients plan and address critical drug development challenges," said Rob Dow, global head of medical affairs for PPD.

Previously, Dennis was head of immunology for U.S. medical affairs at UCB, and participated extensively in guiding compounds through the regulatory approval process. He has held leadership roles at Human Genome Sciences, MedImmune and the NIH. He retired from the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a colonel, chief of rheumatology and consultant to the army surgeon general.