Biotechnology company Exelixis has appointed Jeffrey Hessekiel as executive vice president and general counsel.

In his capacity as general counsel, Hessekiel is a member of the company's senior leadership team and is responsible for overseeing the global legal function.

Hessekiel joins Exelixis from Arnold & Porter, where as senior counsel he advised emerging growth and public companies, primarily in the life sciences sector, on complex legal issues connected with strategic transactions, healthcare compliance programs and investigations, and regulatory matters. Previously, from 2002 to 2012, he held legal and compliance roles at Gilead Sciences, rising to the positions of vice president, commercial legal affairs and litigation, and then chief compliance and quality officer. Prior to joining Gilead, Hessekiel practiced corporate law at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe. 

He succeeds Pamela Simonton, who has transitioned to a new executive vice president role in which she advises management on global patent strategies, assists with various corporate projects and activities, and serves as a director of Exelixis' offshore entities.