Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR), a research-based biopharmaceutical company has promoted Stephen Doberstein, PhD, as its senior vice president, Research & Development and chief research & development officer, and Mary Tagliaferri, MD as its new senior vice president, Clinical Development and chief medical officer, it was reported yesterday.

Dr Doberstein has more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology research and development. He joined the company in January 2010 and has spearheaded the discovery team at Nektar. He also serves as a representative of Nektar for the National Institute of Health Public/Private Initiative to Address the Opioid Crisis. Prior to joining Nektar, he was vice president of Research at XOMA. Previously, he served as vice president, Research at Five Prime Therapeutics. Prior to that, he was the vice president of Research at Xencor, and also held senior leadership positions at Exelixis.

Dr Tagliaferri has 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug development in oncology and women's health and extensive regulatory expertise. She joined Nektar in January 2015 as vice president, Clinical Development. Prior to joining Nektar, she was a clinical and regulatory consultant for InterMune before its acquisition by Roche. She also served as chief medical officer at KangLaiTe USA snd was co-founder and president and chief medical officer of BioNovo.