Novavax says former FDA officer Mark Thornton will lead development as new medical chief

Novavax names former FDA officer as medical chief

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Drug developer Novavax Inc. said Monday it has named former FDA officer Mark Thornton as its new head of development and chief medical officer.

The positions had been open since Penny Heaton left Novavax in October.

Thornton has served as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy and the Food and Drug Administration’s immunology and infectious diseases branch. He also was chief medical officer of ZioPharm Oncology Inc., managing director of clinical and regulatory affairs at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. and, most recently, senior vice president of product development at GenVec Inc.

Shares rose 6 cents to $2.37 in morning trading.