Brian Toohey leaves DEKA for PhRMA post

Takes senior veep job at pharmaceutical advocacy organization

Brian Toohey, executive vice president at DEKA Research & Development Corp. in Manchester, will be joining the PhRMA, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America as senior vice president later this month.

The lobbying organization for the pharmaceutical industry said Toohey will start his new job on July 11.

Before joining DEKA in 2014, Toohey was president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, where he led the semiconductor industry's federal advocacy, international trade and technology programs. Before his stint at SIA, Toohey spent nearly eight years at PhRMA, starting as the lead international lobbyist in the federal advocacy department and then serving as leader of PhRMA's international advocacy team.

He previously worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce, focusing on European trade and intellectual property issues, and was an executive in the wireless telecommunications industry.

In addition, Toohey currently serves on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee and previously served on the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative's Industry Trade Advisory Committee and is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

"The biopharmaceutical industry is transforming lives around the world every day, and the promise for future cures is brighter than ever," said Toohey. "I am passionate about this industry and am thrilled to have the opportunity to again lead the outstanding PhRMA international team to ensure the strongest possible advocacy for patients and innovation."