Ireland-based Perrigo Company plc (NYSE, TASE: PRGO) announced yesterday that it has named James Dillard as its new executive vice president and chief scientific officer.

In this new role, Dillard will be responsible for providing global oversight and coordination to Perrigo's Research & Development, Quality, Regulatory and Innovation efforts. He will report to president and chief executive officer, Murray S Kessler.

Dillard is joining Perrigo from Altria Group Inc, where he served as senior vice president, Research, Development and Sciences and chief innovation officer. He also led the manufacturing, science and technology functions for United States Smokeless Tobacco Company, part of the Altria organisation. Between 1987 and 2001, he worked for the FDA, where he last served as director of the Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Devices. During his 14 years at the FDA, he held various leadership roles in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the Office of Device Evaluation.