Elan hires Lilly executive as company president

NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Elan Corp Plc (ELN.N)(ELN.I) has appointed Carlos Paya, a medical doctor and executive from Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N), as president of the company, the Irish drug maker said on Thursday.

Paya, 49, will join Elan on Nov. 25, bringing additional scientific, medical and commercial experience to the group, which specializes in developing neurological medicines.

He was previously vice president for Lilly Research Laboratories and global leader of the diabetes and endocrine platform, responsible for insulin products.

The move boosts the management line-up at the top of Elan. Previously, Chief Executive Kelly Martin also held the position of president.

Paya will be based in San Francisco and lead the company's scientific, clinical and medical work. He will also assume responsibility for commercial and marketing functions, with a primary focus on strategic initiatives.

Martin, who has a financial background, said Paya brought valuable scientific and clinical experience and could be a potential candidate for the job of CEO at some point in the future.

"We have talked about having an intermediate-term succession plan and he would be a big part of that," Martin told Reuters. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Andre Grenon)