Former head of strategy and operations for strategic alliances at Switzerland-based drugs company Novartis' Institutes for BioMedical Research joins venture-backed Vitae Pharmaceuticals.

Christine Brennan, head of strategy and operations for strategic alliances at Switzerland-based drugs company Novartis’ Institutes for BioMedical Research, has joined corporate venture-backed peer Vitae Pharmaceuticals as chief business officer.

Previously, Brennan worked at Fidelity Biosciences, a venture capital subsidiary of mutual fund manager Fidelity Investments, and in business development for several early-stage biotechnology companies.

Jeffrey Hatfield, chief executive of Vitae, said: "The life sciences industry is tracking on a path of tremendous change, centred round a rapidly…