EMD Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Germany-based Merck, has appointed Joseph Leveque, M.D., as U.S. chief medical officer. Leveque will be responsible for working with the regulatory, medical and development teams to enhance EMD Serono’s clinical presence in the U.S. and to drive the execution of crucial medical initiatives.

Leveque brings more than 20 years of experience in the areas of strategic leadership, advancing medical and clinical programs, and life cycle management. He has served as the medical lead in a number of biopharmaceutical roles, and has wide industry expertise across therapeutic areas, with a focus in oncology and immuno-oncology.

“Dr. Leveque’s substantial experience in managing integrated global medical affairs teams will be significant to furthering our specialty care focus in neurology, oncology, fertility and endocrinology and bringing our pipeline forward,” said Paris Panayiotopoulos, president and managing director of EMD Serono. “In the U.S., Dr. Leveque will collaborate closely with our global medical and R&D organizations, and will play a key role in advancing our commitment to innovation and bringing new therapeutic options to patients, particularly those with difficult to treat diseases.”

Leveque will report to Steven Hildemann, global chief medical officer and head of global medical affairs and drug safety for the biopharma business of Merck, and will be a member of the global medical affairs and EMD Serono U.S. leadership teams.

Most recently, Leveque was at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was the head of U.S. medical for oncology. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, Leveque was responsible for providing strategic leadership and management for marketed and near-term pipeline oncology assets. Leveque also held medical affairs leadership positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon and Amgen.

He will be based in Rockland, Mass.