Pharmaceutical Product Development officials said they have strengthened the Wilmington-based company’s therapeutic expertise and capacity to help biopharmaceutical clients by hiring two new product development leaders, Stephen Peroutka and Horacio Plotkin, according to a news release.
 
Peroutka is the vice president of global product development and therapeutic area head for neuroscience. Peroutka earned his medical and doctoral degree in pharmacology and experimental therapeutics from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Prior to joining PPD Peroutka was the chief medical officer at Semnur Pharmaceuticals, stated the release.
 
Plotkin has joined PPD as vice president of global product development in pediatrics in the rare diseases therapeutic area. In addition, he is also the medical lead for the company’s Rare Disease and Pediatric Center of Excellence. Concurrently, Plotkin is an adjunct professor of pediatrics and orthopedic surgery at the University of Nebraska.

Plotkin earned his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine. Prior to joining PPD, Plotkin was the chief medical officer of Retrophin Inc., according to the release.
 
“By joining this team, these leaders deepen our expertise in neuroscience, pediatrics and rare diseases, areas that are very important to PPD and our customers,” said Rob Dow, senior vice president of medical affairs, in a news release.