The industry plumps for business acumen, as companies seek to turn drug candidates from pipeline prospects to products.
Amid the global pandemic, having a solid grasp on how to raise funds and how to support successful commercialization is more important than ever.
This led to BeiGene, as it looks to expand globally, and Vir Biotechnology, as it looks to commercialize its pipeline, to add expertise to their C-suite and boardroom, respectively.
Beyond this, Vertex took on an experienced industry veteran in cell and gene therapies, as it continues its pivot in that direction, and Cytovance Biologics brought in an old partner of its CEO.
For these appointments and more, click through the slideshow above.
The industry plumps for business acumen, as companies seek to turn drug candidates from pipeline prospects to products.
Amid the global pandemic, having a solid grasp on how to raise funds and how to support successful commercialization is more important than ever.
This led to BeiGene, as it looks to expand globally, and Vir Biotechnology, as it looks to commercialize its pipeline, to add expertise to their C-suite and boardroom, respectively.
Beyond this, Vertex took on an experienced industry veteran in cell and gene therapies, as it continues its pivot in that direction, and Cytovance Biologics brought in an old partner of its CEO.
For these appointments and more, click through the slideshow above.
Angus Grant has been installed in the role of chief business executive with BeiGene, where he will report directly to John Oyler, CEO of the biotech.
Grant will be tasked with overseeing business development, alliance management, and driving BeiGene’s global growth strategy.
The Chinese biotech has been growing rapidly in the decade since its inception, building up a team including 1,200 people in clinical development and 1,300 in commercial roles in China.
As a result, the biotech was recently backed by investors, particularly Amgen, in raising $2bn (€1.7bn), which it plans to utilize to develop its pipeline of therapies.
Grant enters the role having most recently worked as CEO of the Dementia Discovery Fund – a venture capital fund focused on treatment for dementia and neurogenerative disease.
Prior to that, he had developed a comprehensive amount of experience working in the pharma industry, including 12 years working in business development at Celgene, as well as roles at Novartis, Merck KGaA, and the US Food and Drug Administration.
The UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) confirmed the promotion of Sharon Brownlow to the position of chief business officer, after the previous incumbent moved into the position of CEO.
Brownlow will begin her new role on August 1, moving from her prior position of commercial director within the company. In the role, she will be responsible for business strategy and ensuring that the funding is coming into the project.
According CGT Catapult, Brownlow had played a ‘pivotal role’ in securing collaborative research funding to support the growth and productivity of its manufacturing center.
Before joining the CGT Catapult three and a half years ago, Brownlow had been a business development manager at Cobra Biologics for five years, and UK sales and marketing manager for Applikon Biotechnology, again for five years.
Vir Biotechnology brings Elliot Sigal onto its board of directors, adding his 25 years of experience in industry to the ‘guide the company’ to develop its pipeline.
For Sigal, it represents another addition to his roster of board and advisor positions, where he works with Surface Oncology, Amgen, Adaptimmune, Spark Therapeutics, Melanoma Research Alliance and New Enterprise Associates.
Sigal built his reputation as a member of Bristol Myers Squibb’s senior management team from 2001 to 2013, during which time the company brought through 14 new medicines. During 2004 to 2013, he held the position of chief scientific officer.
Regarding Sigal’s role, Vir’s CEO, George Scangos, outlined: “Sigal will work with the other members of Vir’s board to guide the company as we advance our development pipeline to treat and prevent serious infectious diseases.”
Vir’s work includes the development of siRNA treatments for hepatitis B, influenza, and COVID-19.
Cytovance Biologics, a contract development and manufacturing organization focused on biologic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), announced the appointment of Yuk Chun Chiu as its VP of manufacturing operations.
Chiu was brought onto the team by Cytovance’s newly appointed CEO, Jesse McCool, after the pair previously worked together at Lonza, where McCool held the role of director of process development, immediately prior to joining Cytovance.
Chiu will be responsible for directing manufacturing operations, managing the supply chain, engineering and facilities for the CDMO.
While McCool suggested that Chiu’s previous experience managing commercial manufacturing will be ‘critical’ to advancing Cytovance’s late-stage pipeline of recombinant proteins and gene therapies.
Chiu’s former roles include working as director of manufacturing and engineering at AstraZeneca, and also as group head of process analytical technology with Bayer.
Vertex appointed cell and gene therapy specialist E. Morrey Atkinson to the role of SVP, head of commercial manufacturing and supply chain.
Atkinson joins Vertex from Bristol Myers Squibb, where he worked for eight years and reached the position of SVP of global manufacturing operations.
During his time at BMS, he was responsible for the manufacture of its key product, Opdivo (nivolumab), and was tasked with integrating Celgene’s manufacturing network.
The appointment of Atkinson appears to be a strategic move to acquire greater experience in the cell and gene therapy space, with Vertex carrying out several steps to bolsters its presence in the area.
Last year, the company moved to invest more into its internal gene therapy manufacturing capabilities and sealed several deals to bring gene therapies into its pipeline.
Prior to his time at BMS, Atkinson worked as VP of development for seven years at Targeted Genetics, now known as AmpliPhi Biosciences.
