Novo Nordisk announced the appointment of two key executives in the company's United States medical department. Lynn Baer has been promoted to senior director and head of clinical trial operations, reporting to Vice President Peter Aurup. Manny Borrego has been promoted to director and head of clinical site management, reporting to Baer.

Since joining Novo Nordisk last fall as director of clinical project management, Baer has built her new department to maximize best practices for conducting the company's clinical trials. In her current role, she will direct the newly created clinical trial operations department, which combines the clinical project, site management, and budget groups. Before coming to Novo Nordisk, Baer spent nine years at Quintiles Inc, in Cranford, where she held a variety of clinical operations positions of increasing responsibility.

Borrego joined Novo Nordisk in 1994 as a clinical research associate and soon was promoted to regional manager. He has been assistant director of clinical site management for four years and acting director since January. As the United States representative of a global company committee, he has been instrumental in the development of Novo Nordisk's clinical policies, procedures, and training programs. In his new capacity, Borrego will continue to recruit, train, and manage field-based clinical research associates and relevant in-house personnel supporting all of Novo Nordisk's clinical trials in the United States.

Aurup said, "Our clinical development function is a center of excellence for all of Novo Nordisk's core and North American clinical trials, and Lynn and Manny each have played pivotal roles in the department's success. Their collaborative efforts will enhance our effectiveness in conducting successful clinical trials so we can continue to offer advanced treatment options to the people who need them."

Baer's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in zoology from Drew University in Madison and graduate courses in microbiology from Rutgers in Newark. She lives in Scotch Plains with her husband David and two daughters.

Borrego received a doctor of pharmacy from the Southern School of Pharmacy at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga., and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Emory University, also in Atlanta. He completed both a one-year fellowship and a one-year residency in psychiatry at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and the Rhode Island Psychiatric Research and Training Center, Pawtucket Community Counseling Centers. He lives in Sarasota, Fla.