IRISH BIOTECH group Elan has named a former Eli Lilly marketing executive to its board. Richard Pilnik (52), who was previously chief marketing officer and group vice-president at Eli Lilly, will join as a non-executive director on June 1st.

Elan has come under attack from a number of shareholders for what they claim is a lack of pharmaceutical sector experience in its boardroom. The group has become more vociferous as sales growth of Elan’s key product – multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri which was developed with US partner Biogen Idec – has slowed.

Jack Schuler, a former president of Abbott Laboratories and outspoken critic of the current board, was reported at the weekend to be preparing to nominate alternatives to those Elan directors up for re-election at its forthcoming annual general meeting.

However, a spokeswoman for the company noted that yesterday’s appointment was in line with commitments given by Elan chairman Kyran McLaughlin back in February.

In a letter to Mr Schuler at that time, the company said it would appoint two new directors – “a suitably experienced biopharma veteran” and another “with commercial experience” – by the end of the second quarter.

Yesterday, Mr McLaughlin welcomed “an exceptionally talented, well-regarded and accomplished senior executive with 25 years of industry experience”.

He cited Mr Pilnik’s “expertise in pharmaceutical marketing and sales” both in the US and internationally and his “proven track record”.

Mr Pilnik said he was excited to be joining Elan’s board.