CytRx, a biopharmaceutical R&D company specializing in oncology, has appointed Steven A. Kriegsman, president, CEO and a director of the company, as chairman of the board, effective Oct. 15. He replaces Max E. Link, Ph.D., whose unexpected passing was announced on Oct. 7.

"I am honored to assume the additional responsibilities of chairman," said Kriegsman. "While we will greatly miss Link's energy and passion, the CytRx board and management team will continue to work together to carry out his vision of delivering new therapies for cancer patients and meaningful value for our shareholders."

Kriegsman has been CytRx's president, CEO and director since July 2002. Under his leadership, CytRx has been positioned as a leading drug development oncology company with its lead drug candidate, aldoxorubicin, currently being evaluated in a pivotal, global phase III trial in patients with second-line soft tissue sarcoma.