Merz Aesthetics, the largest dedicated medical aesthetics business globally, today announced the appointment of Samantha Kerr, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer, effective March 16, 2020. As part of the company’s recent reorganization, Dr. Kerr will join the global leadership team and will be responsible for setting the scientific strategy and priorities, overseeing and building the company’s R&D pipeline and global day-to-day research operations.
“Bringing deep industry insight to our organization, Dr. Kerr comes to Merz with nearly two decades of demonstrated success and leadership in medical aesthetics and healthcare across a variety of scientific and business leadership roles,” said Bob Rhatigan, Global Chief Executive Officer of Merz Aesthetics. “Dr. Kerr’s new role speaks to our singular focus on medical aesthetics. She will be instrumental in developing our product innovation strategy and leading our dedicated medical aesthetics R&D function.”
With more than 17 years of experience in medical aesthetics, Dr. Kerr previously served as the Vice President Global Area Head Medical Aesthetics, Device at Allergan Ltd., where she oversaw the design, development and execution of global programs to gain product approvals focusing on the U.S., EU, China and Japan. At Allergan, Dr. Kerr managed a global team with responsibility for more than 15 device programs from early stage to launch readiness. Dr. Kerr joins Merz Aesthetics directly from TMC Pharma Services, Ltd., where she served as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she was responsible for working closely with executive leadership to define the strategy and ensure business objectives supported the medium- and long-term growth of the company. Dr. Kerr earned her Ph.D., from the University of Glasgow and completed a Genetics and Genomics certification at Stanford University.
“Joining Merz Aesthetics at this important stage of the company’s growth provides an opportunity to use my extensive industry experience to help drive forward an expanded portfolio,” said Dr. Kerr. “Merz Aesthetics is committed to expanding its R&D efforts, and I look forward to helping advance the pipeline of clinical programs and continue to position Merz Aesthetics as the preferred medical aesthetics partner to our customers.”
Dr. Kerr will report directly to the Global Chief Executive Officer of Merz Aesthetics, Bob Rhatigan.