Big appointments at biotech companies
LIVERPOOL-based Evgen Pharma, a clinical stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer and neurological conditions, has appointed Dr Hamina J Patel as its chief medical officer.
Patel is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 15 years’ industry experience, leading global cross functional teams in the development and commercialisation of drugs primarily within the field of oncology.
She was previously director of drug development, oncology, at Johnson and Johnson, where she helped to build a broad and differentiated portfolio of indications for the cancer drug VELCADE and was instrumental in the success of a new indication (the second-line treatment of mantle cell lymphoma) based on a phase II clinical study in more than 35 countries.
She received numerous awards for her contribution to the oncology group at Johnson and Johnson, including a standard of leadership award.
In addition to her small molecule expertise, Patel has worked extensively in the development of biopharmaceuticals at Celltech and at Chugai.
Evgen chief executive Dr Stephen Franklin said: “Hamina has an impressive track record at global pharmaceutical companies and a breadth of relevant clinical experience.
“Her appointment strengthens the core team at Evgen and will be of great value in the delivery of our upcoming phase II clinical trials in metastatic breast cancer and in subarachnoid haemorrhage, both of which are on track to begin this year.”
Meanwhile, another Liverpool and Cheshire-based drug discovery and development specialist, Redx, has unveiled Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum as its non-executive director.
Kirschbaum, 57, has more than 25 years’ experience in pharmaceutical research and drug development, predominantly at global pharmaceutical companies.
During his career, he held leadership roles at Merck/Merck Serono, Sanofi-Aventis, Aventis and Hoechst Marion Roussel, and has expertise in a broad range of disease areas including oncology, immuno-oncology, immunology, neurological disorders and cardiometabolic diseases.
Kirschbaum’s experience also covers a wide range of technology areas across the spectrum of small molecules and biologics.
He is currently a member of several boards and advisory boards, including BioMedX, a life science incubator in Heidelberg, Protagen Diagnostics, which develops diagnostic tools for some of the most severe autoimmune diseases, and OMEICOS Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on cardiovascular diseases.
Redx chief executive Neil Murray said: “Bernhard has an outstanding track record and I have no doubt that Redx will benefit from his significant commercial and scientific expertise. We look forward to working with him as we drive the Company’s next phase of growth.”
Kirschbaum said: “I think that Redx is one of the UK’s most promising drug discovery companies operating in cancer, immunology and infection.
“Over a relatively short space of time, Redx has already established an extensive pipeline which has yielded a number of very exciting drug candidates in several disease areas.”
“Redx has ambitious plans for growth and I look forward to contributing fully towards the ongoing development of the business.”
