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CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has named a new head of its Connect+Develop program, which has brought consumers a series of breakthrough products, including Olay Regenerist.

Laura Becker will lead P&G’s global business development group, responsible for empowering and driving Connect+Develop open innovation work across the company and around the world. A 22-year P&G veteran, who has worked in a range of areas across the company, Becker brings a depth of business and strategic-development expertise to GBD.

WASHINGTON — The dietary supplement industry recently responded to a Senate query around why the dietary supplement industry is failing to live up to Food and Drug Administration regulations.

PITTSBURGH — Bayer on Tuesday announced that on July 1, Philip Blake will become senior Bayer representative USA, following a common company practice of assigning this oversight role to a senior executive already holding a significant business role or roles within the region.

“Phil Blake is a highly valued and respected leader at Bayer,” stated Richard Pott, member of the management board of Bayer. “Having been with Bayer for more than 30 years, he brings a wealth of experience to this new role.”

ATLANTA — People with higher levels of education and higher income have lower rates of many chronic diseases compared with those with less education and lower income levels, according to "Health, United States, 2011" — the government’s annual comprehensive report on Americans’ health released Wednesday.

LONDON — The head of drug maker AstraZeneca will retire next month, the company said.

The Anglo-Swedish drug manufacturer announced the planned retirement of CEO and board member David Brennan, effective June 1.

Executive director and CFO Simon Lowth will act as interim CEO following Brennan's departure, until a new CEO can be found, while VP group finance Julie Brown will become interim CFO.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — University of British Columbia researchers may have found a way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations, university officials announced Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has named Ellen Davis SVP and executive director of the NRF Foundation, the education and research arm of NRF.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Thursday named Bruce Johnson to VP consumer healthcare research and development. Johnson will lead new product development for the supplier in the U.S. market. 

Johnson joined Perrigo in 2005 and has since played a critical role in the company’s analytical research and development activities for both the U.S. and abroad.

NEW YORK — What new prescription and OTC drugs are top of mind among retail pharmacists? How often do pharmacists REALLY recommend private label?

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Genzyme has named leaders of two units that are part of the core focus of the drug maker's business.

Bill Sibold, former chief commercial officer at Avanir Pharmaceuticals, was appointed to serve as head of the multiple sclerosis business, while Rogério Vivaldi, who most recently served as president of Genzyme’s renal and endocrinology business, now is the head of the rare diseases business.

Both Sibold and Vivaldi will report to Genzyme president and CEO David Meeker, who recently became part of the company's executive team.

BURBANK, Calif. — Former chairman, president and CEO of Procter & Gamble A.G. Lafley has joined Legendary Entertainment’s board of directors.

Lafley joins a board comprising Legendary's chairman and CEO Thomas Tull, as well as Jim Breyer, Larry Clark, Dick Cook and Joe Roth.

Legendary Entertainment is a media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television (Legendary Television) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions.

NEW YORK — Costco Wholesale is calling on the farms that grow cantaloupes and the companies that ship them to be more vigilant in preventing contamination amid one of the deadliest outbreaks of foodborne disease in recent history, according to published reports.