New head of Swiss devices agency:

Margit Widmann is to take over as the head of the medical devices division at the Swiss competent authority, Swissmedic, later this year. A biochemist by training, Mrs Widmann has many years of industry experience in the medical devices sector. She will take over the role from Isabel Scuntaro, who has been acting head since Rainer Voelksen was seconded to the Australian medtech agency, the TGA, in mid-2005, and who has now joined Synthes (see Clinica No 1223, p 10). Dr Scuntaro did not seek to take over the position on a permanent basis for personal reasons, she explained to Clinica, and is looking forward to returning to her prime responsibilities in clinical trial management within Swissmedic. She will continue to work closely with chief inspector for medical devices Markus Zobrist.