Pharmaceutical Product Development – better known as PPD in Wilmington – announced this morning that it’s Board of Directors has named a new chairman and CEO.
David Simmons, an experienced pharmaceutical industry executive, joins PPD from Pfizer Inc., where he served as president and general manager of the emerging markets and established products business units. Mr. Simmons begins his new role June 4th and will be based in PPD's headquarters in downtown Wilmington.
The previous CEO, Raymond Hill, joined PPD in September of last year, shepherded the public company through a private equity sale, and then resigned in December.
Mr. Simmons joins PPD following 15 years with Pfizer in several senior roles. He earned his degree in applied mathematics and industrial management from Carnegie-Mellon University.