AIMM Therapeutics Appoints Former Head Novartis Research Institutes Jan de Vries CEO, and John Womelsdorf VP Business Development
AIMM Therapeutics, a next generation antibody company co-founded by Hergen Spits, PhD, today announced the appointment of Jan de Vries, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer and John Womelsdorf, PhD, as Vice President Business Development. Capitalizing on its proprietary technology to immortalize and select B cells of individuals who produce antibodies with high therapeutic value, AIMM Therapeutics has developed a state-of-the-art antibody technology platform to develop high affinity human monoclonal antibodies. Three of its infectious diseases programs are already partnered with top tier pharmaceutical companies. Building on its successful track record to date and under Dr. de Vries’s leadership, the company will further expand into cancer indications and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Tom Schwarz, Chairman, said, “Jan de Vries has deep experience in drug discovery and early development and was involved in developing many successful, currently marketed drugs. We are pleased to have attracted him to lead AIMM Therapeutics, as the company transitions to become one of the major players in the next-generation antibody space.”
Jan de Vries, CEO, said, “AIMM has succeeded in establishing a platform that yields high quality first-in-class antibodies that are coveted by big pharma. I look forward to further building the company and leading the effort to branch out into other therapeutic areas together with John Womelsdorf and the team.”
Dr. de Vries has over 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in discovery and early development. He was Head of the Novartis Research Institutes for Biomedical Research in Basel, Switzerland, and Global Head of the Disease Area Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation. At Novartis, he was instrumental in developing many drugs including Ilaris (Canakinumab), Secukinumab, Elidel, and Gilenya. Prior to that he was at DNAX Research Institute of Molecular Biological Research in Palo Alto, California where he co-discovered IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13. Dr. de Vries started his career in academia at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, where he was Head of the Department of Immunology.
Dr. Womelsdorf has more than 16 years of experience in high profile business development roles at Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, J&J, Roche, and Baxter International, with a large number of successful partnering and licensing agreements to his name.
About AIMM Therapeutics
AIMM Therapeutics (AIMM) is a leading antibody company that based on its synergistic, state-of-the-art antibody technology platform develops high affinity human monoclonal antibodies from immortalized and selected B cells of individuals who produce antibodies with high therapeutic value. AIMM antibodies can be further affinity matured in a proprietary process that does not require molecular engineering. AIMM has a broad product pipeline targeted at pathogenic viruses and bacteria, and is expanding its pipeline with drug candidates for cancer and inflammatory diseases. For more information: www.aimmtherapeutics.com
Contacts
For further enquiries
AIMM Therapeutics
Jan de Vries, +1 858-405-1356
CEO
jdevries@aimmtherapeutics.com
or
Capricorn One
Hans Herklots, +41 79 598 7149
Managing Director capricorn1@bluewin.ch
Tom Schwarz, Chairman, said, “Jan de Vries has deep experience in drug discovery and early development and was involved in developing many successful, currently marketed drugs. We are pleased to have attracted him to lead AIMM Therapeutics, as the company transitions to become one of the major players in the next-generation antibody space.”
Jan de Vries, CEO, said, “AIMM has succeeded in establishing a platform that yields high quality first-in-class antibodies that are coveted by big pharma. I look forward to further building the company and leading the effort to branch out into other therapeutic areas together with John Womelsdorf and the team.”
Dr. de Vries has over 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in discovery and early development. He was Head of the Novartis Research Institutes for Biomedical Research in Basel, Switzerland, and Global Head of the Disease Area Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation. At Novartis, he was instrumental in developing many drugs including Ilaris (Canakinumab), Secukinumab, Elidel, and Gilenya. Prior to that he was at DNAX Research Institute of Molecular Biological Research in Palo Alto, California where he co-discovered IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13. Dr. de Vries started his career in academia at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, where he was Head of the Department of Immunology.
Dr. Womelsdorf has more than 16 years of experience in high profile business development roles at Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, J&J, Roche, and Baxter International, with a large number of successful partnering and licensing agreements to his name.
About AIMM Therapeutics
AIMM Therapeutics (AIMM) is a leading antibody company that based on its synergistic, state-of-the-art antibody technology platform develops high affinity human monoclonal antibodies from immortalized and selected B cells of individuals who produce antibodies with high therapeutic value. AIMM antibodies can be further affinity matured in a proprietary process that does not require molecular engineering. AIMM has a broad product pipeline targeted at pathogenic viruses and bacteria, and is expanding its pipeline with drug candidates for cancer and inflammatory diseases. For more information: www.aimmtherapeutics.com
Contacts
For further enquiries
AIMM Therapeutics
Jan de Vries, +1 858-405-1356
CEO
jdevries@aimmtherapeutics.com
or
Capricorn One
Hans Herklots, +41 79 598 7149
Managing Director capricorn1@bluewin.ch