10.02.13
Bedford, Mass.-based Anika Therapeutics Inc., which makes technology based on hyularonic acid for tissue repair, has appointed John W. Sheets, Jr., Ph.D., as its new chief scientific officer. Sheets joined Anika from Boston Scientific, where he served as senior vice president of corporate research. There, he was responsible for revitalizing product development by establishing new global processes, creating worldwide technology strategies, and establishing new product sourcing and development networks with a focus on emerging markets.
Sheets replaces Jing-wen Kuo, Ph.D. who according to the company is leaving to pursue other opportunities at the end of October. In addition to driving Anika’s research and development efforts, Sheets is leading the company’s regulatory, clinical affairs and engineering functions. These areas previously were overseen by Chief Operating Officer Frank Luppino, who is leaving Anika at the end of October to pursue other interests. Luppino’s remaining responsibilities are being transitioned to existing senior executives, with operations management reporting directly at the CEO level.
“John’s appointment as chief scientific officer to oversee our technology and pipeline development provides us with significantly stronger leadership in those critical areas,” said Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D., Anika’s president and CEO. “His R&D (research and development) expertise, multi-national partnership experience, and business acumen will be valuable assets as we advance Anika’s strategic initiatives and prepare the company for the next level of growth. As we welcome John, we also would like to thank Frank and Jing-wen for their many contributions to Anika’s past success.”
Prior to his work at Boston Scientific, Sheets was corporate vice president of R&D and chief technology officer for Bausch and Lomb. He also served as president of Hoya Surgical Optics and worked for Alcon Laboratories, and Johnson & Johnson companies Ethicon and Iolab Corporation. Sheets holds a B.S., an M.S. and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville.
Sheets replaces Jing-wen Kuo, Ph.D. who according to the company is leaving to pursue other opportunities at the end of October. In addition to driving Anika’s research and development efforts, Sheets is leading the company’s regulatory, clinical affairs and engineering functions. These areas previously were overseen by Chief Operating Officer Frank Luppino, who is leaving Anika at the end of October to pursue other interests. Luppino’s remaining responsibilities are being transitioned to existing senior executives, with operations management reporting directly at the CEO level.
“John’s appointment as chief scientific officer to oversee our technology and pipeline development provides us with significantly stronger leadership in those critical areas,” said Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D., Anika’s president and CEO. “His R&D (research and development) expertise, multi-national partnership experience, and business acumen will be valuable assets as we advance Anika’s strategic initiatives and prepare the company for the next level of growth. As we welcome John, we also would like to thank Frank and Jing-wen for their many contributions to Anika’s past success.”
Prior to his work at Boston Scientific, Sheets was corporate vice president of R&D and chief technology officer for Bausch and Lomb. He also served as president of Hoya Surgical Optics and worked for Alcon Laboratories, and Johnson & Johnson companies Ethicon and Iolab Corporation. Sheets holds a B.S., an M.S. and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida, Gainesville.