EMD Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Germany’s Merck, has announced two critical management appointments to lead its entry into oncology. EMD Serono's diversified oncology and immuno-oncology pipeline includes multiple, high-priority projects currently in development to optimize patient outcomes in challenging cancers that have significant unmet patient need.

David Trexler, senior vice president of oncology commercial, will lead the strategy of the EMD Serono oncology franchise and will be responsible for maximizing growth opportunities by building a performance-driven oncology team focused on customer and patient centricity.

Trexler has more than 25 years of experience in branded pharmaceutical marketing, sales and business development. He joins EMD Serono from Eisai, where he was senior vice president of the americas oncology business unit. At Eisai, Trexler successfully led the oncology sales and marketing teams, expanding Eisai's reach in strategic markets across the Americas. Trexler previously held senior leadership roles at Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Zhen Su, vice president of oncology medical, will lead the medical strategy and team for the franchise. A physician executive with more than 15 years of experience, Su has strong clinical experience in oncology, immuno-oncology and urology. He has held positions in academic and pharmaceutical medicine, including general management, clinical development, medical affairs and business development.

Previosuly, Su was associate vice president and global head of Jevtana (cabazitaxel) at Sanofi. Su also has held several academic positions, including assistant professor of Surgery at Duke University, where he received his fellowship in oncology.