Deborah Dunsire, head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ North American oncology operations, has been named as Millennium Pharmaceuticals’ new president and chief executive officer. Dr Dunsire, who will also be elected to the company’s board of directors, plans to assume her new role by August 1, when she will succeed Mark Levin, Millennium’s co-founder and CEO since its inception.

Kenneth Weg, a member of the board of directors since 2001, will become the new non-executive chairman, and Mr Levin will remain an active member of the board.