The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), a not-for-profit product development partnership accelerating the discovery and development of new drugs to fight tuberculosis (TB), today announced the appointment of Colleen Pero as the organization's first Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. Pero will lead the expansion of the TB Alliance's staff and internal operations as it advances the largest and fastest-growing new TB drug pipeline in history.
Ms. Pero was most recently Senior Vice President of Corporate Administration for Endo Pharmaceuticals. She brings to the TB Alliance senior leadership and strategic planning expertise from over fifteen years of healthcare sector experience in rapid growth organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit.
"With numerous drugs in or approaching clinical trials, a maturing discovery portfolio, and several new strategic partnerships, the TB Alliance is poised to escalate its research and development activities and expand its advocacy and policy work to ensure new treatments are adopted and available." said Dr. Jerome Premmereur, Chief Executive Officer and President of the TB Alliance. "Colleen brings strong leadership to the TB Alliance and experience to build and sustain the capabilities we need to achieve our urgent mission."
Ms. Pero has led many operational areas including strategic business planning, information technology, human resources, communications, organizational development, public affairs, and facilities planning. She has focused much of her career on the development of fast-growing organizations and operational integration during company expansion.
"Joining the TB Alliance at this pivotal stage in its growth is very exciting," Pero said. "We have truly compelling goals and are building all the ingredients for success: a strong portfolio of promising drugs; a highly talented staff with a passionate commitment to patients; and an exceptionally capable operation."
Every year, more than 1.5 million people worldwide die from TB. It is estimated that the bacillus that causes TB infects one-third of the world's population and the threat of drug-resistance is growing at an alarming rate. New, faster-acting, simpler drug regimens are critical to defeating this ancient disease.