Numerous biotechs have brought onboard further experience at leadership level, with several seeking guidance on lead candidates.
As biotechs bring lead drug candidates closer to approval, they often need to add greater clinical expertise or require further funds to progress deeper into trials. In May, appointments that were designed to help on of both these fronts were seen across the industry.
At the larger end of the biotech scale, Genentech brought in a new head of research with a background in computational biology – aiming to drive a more data-based approach to drug discovery.
For this appointment and more, click through the slideshow above.
Numerous biotechs have brought onboard further experience at leadership level, with several seeking guidance on lead candidates.
As biotechs bring lead drug candidates closer to approval, they often need to add greater clinical expertise or require further funds to progress deeper into trials. In May, appointments that were designed to help on of both these fronts were seen across the industry.
At the larger end of the biotech scale, Genentech brought in a new head of research with a background in computational biology – aiming to drive a more data-based approach to drug discovery.
For this appointment and more, click through the slideshow above.
Genentech announced that its current head of research and early development (gRED), Michael Varney, will retire at the end of July. Varney has been in the role since 2015, as well as being part of Genentech for the last 15 years.
Replacing Varney will be Aviv Regev, who steps into the role from her current position as chair of faculty and member of the executive leadership team at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
In addition to becoming the new head of gRED, Regev will also become a member of Roche’s corporate executive committee, as of the start of August 2020. The announcement stated that Regev will be based in San Francisco, US.
In terms of her background, Regev has a PhD in computational biology and has worked on deciphering molecular circuits that govern cells, tissues and organs in health and their malfunction in disease. She has experience using her background in computational biology to establish machine learning algorithms for gaining biological knowledge.
In terms of how this will be utilized, Roche’s CEO, Severin Schwan, stated that her expertise will be used to pursue “data-based drug discovery and development.”
Aruvant Sciences brings in Joseph McIntosh from PTC Therapeutics to take the lead on the development of the biotech’s gene therapy, ARU-1801.
McIntosh joins the team at Aruvant as chief medical officer, after having previously held the role of head of clinical development at PTC Therapeutics.
During the time at his prior role, McIntosh worked across a portfolio of treatments that includes two gene therapies. He has also specialized in rare disease for over a decade, which includes periods working at Shire and Eisai.
Aruvant was launched at the end of 2018 by Roivant, with its lead gene therapy candidate AR-1801 as a core part of its portfolio. The investigational therapy is a potential treatment for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia.
The treatment is currently undergoing Phase I/II clinical studies, with Aruvant suggesting that preliminary data demonstrates ‘durable reductions’ in disease burden.
Atara Biotherapeutics appoints Maria Roncarolo to its board of directors. According to the biotech, Roncarolo is an expert of immunology, as well as in regard to cell and gene therapies.
Roncarolo is the co-director of the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University. In the position, she leads efforts to create stem cell therapies and gene therapies, based on discoveries made at the university.
As part of her prior research, she contributed to the discovery of novel cytokines and studied how these can induce immunological tolerance, as well as promoting stem cell growth and differentiation.
“I am thrilled to have one of the world’s leading experts in immunology and T cells, Roncarolo, bringing to our board her experience and strategic vision in cell therapy and gene editing as well as her passion for transformative immunotherapies,” said Pascal Touchon, CEO of Atara.
Atreca will bring Kristine Ball onto its board of directors, as the biotech seeks to expand available expertise whilst progressing its first-in-class product candidate, ATRC-101.
The antibody is enrolling patients with multiple solid tumor cancers for a Phase Ib trial.
Ball arrives after previously holding the role of chief financial officer at Menlo Therapeutics, Relypsa, and KAI Pharmaceuticals.
Atreca called attention to the fundraising that had taken place under her leadership at Relypsa, where she helped in raising over $675m (€612m) and the company’s acquisition by Galenica.
John Orwin, CEO of Atreca, said, “Ball brings a wealth of expertise gained over her career in the life sciences industry, during which she established a track record of executing on effective financing and corporate development strategies to help build successful companies.”
Earlier this month, the US government announced ‘Operation Warp Speed’ – which was set up to ready a potential vaccine for the novel coronavirus by the start of 2021.
In order to manage the project, Moncef Slaoui was brought on board as chief advisor. Previously, Slaoui held the role of chairman of R&D at GSK and chairman of its global vaccines division.
During his time leading GSK’s vaccines division, he oversaw the creation of 14 vaccines, including preventatives for shingles and malaria.
After leaving GSK, Slaoui became chairman at Galvani Bioelectronics and a partner at Medicxi Venture Capital.
Joining Slaoui is Gustave Perna, who will perform the role of chief operating officer. Perna is a general and commander of the US Army Material Command, with a history of working in the management and procurement of equipment and supplies for the US army.
