San Diego-based Somaxon Pharmaceuticals said today that it has appointed Richard W. Pascoe as the firm's President and CEO. Pascoe will also serve as a director of the company. Pascoe was most recently at ARAID Pharmaceuticals, where he was Senior Vice President and COO; he has also served at King Pharmaceuticals, Medco Research, COR Therapeutics, B. Braun Interventional, and The BOC Group. Pascoe succeeds David F. Hale, who has been serving as interim CEO; Hale remains as chairman.