Let’s take a look at some of the professionals moving to transition the pharma and biotech world this past week.
Let’s take a look at some of the professionals moving to transition the pharma and biotech world this past week.
Pieris Pharmaceuticals – Peter Kiener was named to the board of directors of Boston-based Pieris Pharmaceuticals. Kiener most recently served as chief scientific officer at Sucampo until the company’s acquisition by Mallinckrodt in February 2018. Prior to Sucampo, Kiener served as CSO of Ambrx, Inc. a company focused on developing antibody-drug conjugates. Kiener was president and co-founder of Zyngenia Inc., a monoclonal antibody company developing drugs for oncology and inflammatory diseases.
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – New Haven, Conn.-based Achillion named Paul Firuta as its chief operating officer. As COO, Firuta will be responsible for leading Achillion’s commercial strategy and operations as the company plans to take its complement inhibitor Cinryze into the clinic. Firuta joins Achillion from uniQure N.V. where he held the position of chief commercial officer. Prior to uniQure, he was president of U.S. Commercial Operations at NPS Pharmaceuticals. He also held leadership roles at ViroPharma, Inc. and OraPharma.
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -- Göran Ando was tapped as the new chairman of the board of directors at Watertown, Mass.-based EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. He will help oversee the potential launch of two ophthalmic products, Dexycu and Ytuiq pending regulatory approval. As a result of Ando’s appointment, David J. Mazzo will step-down as non-executive chairman, but will remain on the board and will continue to serve as chair of the Compensation Committee. Ando was first appointed to the EyePoint board in June. He is the former chairman of the board of Novo Nordisk A/S. He is currently a senior advisor at EW Healthcare Partners and most recently served as chief executive officer of Cell Tech Group PLC. Ando has held leadership roles at companies such as Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.
UroGen Pharma -- Jones “Woody” Bryan has been appointed senior vice president of Business Development at Israel-based UroGen Pharma. Bryan previously served as SVP of Business Development at Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he spearheaded the business development effort for its recent acquisition by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Prior to Sucampo, Bryan was SVP of Business Development at Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He is currently a board member of Afecta Pharma.
Arix Bioscience -- Arthur Pappas has been appointed a non-executive director of the London-based Arix Biosciences Board of Directors. He is the founder and managing partner of Pappas Capital, a U.S. venture firm. Pappas has served as an executive member of the board of directors of Glaxo Holdings plc and served as Glaxo’s chief executive responsible for international operations.
Tarveda Therapeutics – Based in Watertown, Mass., Tarveda Therapeutics named Jeffrey D. Bloss as its newest chief medical officer. Prior to joining Tarveda, Bloss served as CMO and head of medical affairs at Aegerion. He has also held senior level positions at Astellas, GlaxoSmithKline, Xencor, Onyx, Genentech, and Eli Lilly. In addition to Bloss, Tarveda also named Steven A. Hamburger as vice president of regulatory affairs and Laura Mei as vice president of clinical operations.
Travecta Therapeutics – Philadelphia-based Travecta Therapeutics appointed Douglas C. Hicks as chief business officer. Hicks joins Travecta with more than 20 years of industry experience. He most recently served as head of business development and strategy at iBio, Inc.
Definiens – Based in the United Kingdom, Sir John Savile was named a non-executive director of the board. Savills was previously the CEO of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in the U.K.
Oilstone Medical – Andy Richards was named a non-executive director of the Owlstone Medical board of directors. Richards is a longtime industry veteran, having served in various leadership roles at AstraZeneca and PA Technology. He was a founder of Chiroscience until its merger with Celltech in 1999.
