Roche has hired Ketchum to handle global PR for its blockbuster drug Pegasys. The drug has been indicated for the treatment of hepatitis B and C. Ketchum has also been hired to promote the company's wider hepatitis franchise. The account will be headed by Ketchum MD of international healthcare Sebastien Desprez.
VMA Group Search and Selection has appointed Suzanne Kelly to set up a specialist healthcare division. Kelly has 20 years of healthcare PR experience, having worked at Hill & Knowlton. She joins the recruitment firm from her role as business unit head of consumer healthcare at OgilvyHealth PR.
Benenden Healthcare Society, the mutual healthcare provider, has hired Lawrence Christensen as its new head of comms. He joins Benenden from his role as head of media relations at the British Library, London. He will oversee PR, internal comms and government relations.
Echo has won a brief to handle comms for a dermatology product for pharma firm Typharm following a three-way pitch. The agency will focus on prescription-only brands.
