Emer Cooke, Head of International Affairs at the EMA, is to leave the Agency to take up a new role as the Head of Regulation of Medicines and other Health Technologies in the Essential Medicines and Health Products Department at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

EMA Executive Director Guido Rasi said, “In her role as Head of International Affairs, Emer has made a significant contribution to the global recognition of the EU network activities. We shall be sorry to lose Emer’s insight and expertise, but are confident that she will continue to further develop the close collaboration between EMA and WHO. It has been a privilege to work with Emer and we wish her every success in her new role.”

Emer Cooke has held the role of Head of International Affairs at EMA since 2013. She has worked at the Agency since 2002, during which time she has also served as Head of International and European Cooperation and Head of Inspections.

Cooke will take up her position with WHO in mid-November 2016.

EMA’s Head of Portfolio Board, Agnès Saint-Raymond, will take over the role ad interimpending the appointment of a new Head of International Affairs. Agnès Saint-Raymond has worked as a senior manager at EMA for over 16 years across many areas of the Agency’s core work. She has also been involved in collaborative activities with the FDA, WHO, the United Nations and with Canada.