News from Aduro, Catalent, and Eleven – People on the move
Aduro BioTech has named Thomas Dubensky as chief scientific officer.
Dubensky most recently served as chief scientific officer at Immune Design Corporation.
As part of his new role he will work on the Listeria monocytogenes vaccine program he helped to initiate in 2002, when he was Vice President of Research at Cerus Corporation.
Stephen Isaacs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aduro, said: “We're extremely pleased to have Tom rejoin the program he started and expect his return to help take Aduro to the next level.”
Catalent has named Paul Jenkins as its new global VP of business development for their proprietary Zydis Technology.
Prior to joining the company, Jenkins was the CEO of UK biotech Adjuvantix.
At Catalent, Jenkins will be responsible for expanding businesses growth in fast-dissolve technology across the world with their new delivery platform.
He will also oversee the development of the firm’s recently acquired Lyopan fast dissolve technology.
Will Downie, senior VP of global sales and marketing said: “I am excited to have Paul join the Catalent team to help us grow our fast-dissolve technology platform.”
Cannabis Science has drafted Robert Kane into its investor relations management team.
The US biotech, who specializes in developing cannabis products, hopes Kane will help to increase company exposure, access to capital, and ultimately increase share holder value through his new role.
Of his appointment, Kane said: “I am proud to be working with Cannabis Science to increase shareholders value for an organization that is truly on the front lines of this science of medicine."
BerGenBio has appointed Heidi Pavliska to its board of directors.
Pavliska – who was in the original group of scientists who started Galapogos NV – was director of business development with AMRI.
In her new role for the Norwegian-based oncology biopharma, she will prepare for the commercialization of the company’s proprietary novel EMT (epithelial -mesenchymal cancer targets).
BerGenBio CEO Richard Godfrey said: “We hope to utilize both Heidi’s extensive network and industry experience as we widen access to the CellSellect technology platform and build risk-sharing development programs in the industry.”
Abbie Celniker has become the new CEO of protein-based therapy specialists Eleven Biotherapeutics.
Formerly president and CEO of Taligen, Celniker has more than 20 years experience in building late-stage protein therapeutic discovery and development programs.
Of her new position, she said: "I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and working with the team as we move our lead program into development in 2012 and continue our efforts to translate clinical, biological and engineering insights into breakthrough products."
T-cell vaccine firm Okairos has named Bill Burns as chairman of the board, as well as new board member Jean-Paul Prieels.
Former Roche pharmaceutical division CEO Burns also serves on the boards of Roche, Genentech, Chugai, Masters Pharmaceuticals, Biotie Therapies and Shire.
Whilst Prieels, who was once head of research at GSK Vaccines, is also a board member for Immune Health and Pevion.
Riccardo Cortese, CEO and co-founder of Okairos said: "Both Bill Burns and Jean-Paul Prieels have led major pharmaceutical divisions and understand how to take great science through clinical trials to ultimately benefit patients."
