Alteon Inc. is wheeling in some experienced full-time help asone of the company's biggest challenges takes shape before theFDA -- moving its lead compound, aminoguanidine, over theregulatory hurdles. The drug is proposed as a treatment forreversing diabetic complications

The Northvale, N.J.-based company announced last week thatformer FDA Commissioner Jere E. Goyan will join the companyfull-time as senior vice president of research and developmenton Jan. 4. Goyan, who has been an Alteon consultant and amember of its scientific advisory board since early 1989, isnow dean of the school of pharmacy at the University ofCalifornia, San Francisco.

Alteon's stock price plummetted 30 percent last July after theFDA requested more detailed trial data on aminoguanidine,while considering the company's request to start a Phase II/IIIstudy. The company said Friday that it expects it will soonsubmit the requested data.

Goyan's research has focused on the physical chemistry ofdosage form design.

"This appointment substantially strengthens the company'sresearch and development organization internally and willenhance our collaborative efforts," said Charles A. Faden,Alteon's chairman, president and chief executive officer. Alteonhas collaborations with the Picower Institute for MedicalResearch, Yamanouchi Pharmaceuticals and Marion MerrellDow.

GenPharm International Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., namedDavid L. Winter president and chief operating officer forGenPharm U.S. He has been senior R&D executive for the past13 years with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals.

Boston Pacific Medical Inc. of Boston named Peter J. Zahoruikopresident and general manger of BP Malaysia, the company'swholly owned manufacturing and distribution facility.Zahoruiko was general manager of Phase-R Corp.

Walter P. Rahn II was named controller at Telor OphthalmicPharmaceuticals Inc. of Woburn, Mass. He was corporateaccounting manager for SmithKline Beecham Corp.

Charles R. Krause was named president and chief operatingofficer of Boron Biologicals of Raleigh, N.C. He was group vicepresident with C.R. Bard Inc.

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