Orexigen appoints new executive

SAN DIEGO A drug company focused on obesity has made a new appointment to its executive team.

Orexigen Therapeutics announced Monday the appointment of Jay Hagan as SVP corporate development and strategy. In the new position, Hagan will focus on partnership opportunities and commercialization strategies for products such as Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion), for which the company plans to file regulatory approval next year, and Empatic (zonisamide and bupropion), currently in phase 2 trials.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Orexigen team at this pivotal time for the company,” Hagan said. “Orexigen possesses a unique opportunity among small biotechnology companies.”

Hagan was previously a partner at the biotechnology consulting firm Groundswell Advisors, concurrently serving as acting CEO of Unity Pharma.