• Dr. Stephen Becker is appointed as Chief Medical Officer
• Two industry veterans continue to support company’s efforts
Evry (France), November 43, 2016 – InnaVirVax, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in research and development of therapeutic for HIV, announced that it has strengthened its presence in the U.S. with the appointment of a Chief Medical Officer and U.S. biotechnology industry experts, following the FDA’s authorization for InnaVirVax to launch a clinical trial for VAC-3S in the U.S.
Stephen Becker, MD, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Becker has been working for 30 years in HIV and has led development for novel classes of antiretroviral agents, including a viral mutagen and a CXCR4 antagonist. He has been Deputy Director, HIV, Global Health Department, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Previously, he was Chief Medical Officer at Koronis Pharmaceuticals, and prior to that served as Medical Director and HIV team leader at AnnorMED. His background will be valuable as InnaVirVax develops its Phase 2a trial of VAC-3S.
In addition, two industry leaders continue to advise InnaVirVax:
• Roger Pomerantz, MD. Dr. Pomerantz is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (“Seres”). Prior to joining Seres, Dr. Pomerantz was Worldwide Head of Licensing & Acquisitions, Senior Vice President at Merck & Co., Inc., where he oversaw all licensing and acquisitions at Merck Research Laboratories, including external research, out-licensing regional deals, and academic alliances. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Global Franchise Head of Infectious Diseases at Merck. Prior to joining Merck, Dr. Pomerantz was Global Head of Infectious Diseases for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, responsible for all anti-infective agents worldwide. Dr. Pomerantz earned his B.A. in biochemistry at the Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Pomerantz is an internationally recognized expert in HIV molecular pathogenesis and latency. He has developed nine approved infectious disease drugs in important diseases including HIV, HCV, and tuberculosis.
• Cameron Durrant MD, MBA. Dr. Durrant is the Chairman and CEO of KaloBios Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Durrant’s expertise and business career has revolved around transformations, whether for brands, business units, or small companies. He has particular therapeutic experience in infectious diseases, pediatrics and oncology. coupled with experience as a practicing physician. He has served as board chairman, lead independent director and as CEO for several specialty pharma or biotech companies in both the private and public sector. His career has been built on extensive experience as an operating executive at blue-chip pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Pharmacia, GSK and Merck.
Joël Crouzet, CEO of InnaVirVax, commented: “The strengthening of our U.S. team is an important turning point for InnaVirVax. The appointment of Dr. Becker will accelerate our plans to establish innovative and potentially transformational HIV therapeutic solutions, especially in the field of remission or functional cure. These developments support our ambitious strategy for the development of VAC-3S, our vaccine candidate for patients living with HIV. In parallel, the addition of Drs Pomerantz and Durrant as Advisors to the Board of Directors will strengthen InnaVirVax’s ability to succeed in this novel area of HIV. "
About InnaVirVax:
Located at the Genopole® of Evry, a Paris Biopark, InnaVirVax is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in research and development of therapeutic for HIV infection in which the company has developed a portfolio of innovative programs. Incorporated in 2008, the Company has since received support from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Bpifrance (the French innovation agency), the French National Research Agency, the ‘Centre Francilien de l’Innovation’ and CapDecisif and G1J Ile-de-France, Pradeyrol Development, FaDiese and the FRCI as investors. (www.innavirvax.fr)
