NJ's Hugin named PhRMA chair-elect

A New Jersey pharma executive has been elected to a top post at the industry's largest trade group.

Celgene Corp. Chairman and CEO Robert J. Hugin was voted chairman-elect of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's Board of Directors at the close of last week's annual meeting in Boston.

Eli Lilly and Co. chief John C. Lechleiter was elected chairman of the board, succeeding Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher.

Pfizer Corp. CEO Ian C. Read was named board treasurer.

Last week's meeting was the second gaveled to order by Viehbacher, who took over the chairmanship in December 2010 to finish the term of former Pfizer chief Jeffrey B. Kindler, who abruptly retired that month. He was replaced by Read.

Hugin has been CEO of Summit-based Celgene since 2010 and chairman since 2011.

In a statement, Hugin said the industry will push for pro-innovation policies.

"Advances in healthcare will continue to be a critical source of breakthroughs extending and improving patients' lives, reducing overall healthcare costs and driving economic growth," he said.

Hugin is also a past chairman of the state's biopharmaceutical trade group, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, and is a founding board member of Choose New Jersey.