Movers and Shakers April 2023

CultHealth Gains Creative Lead

CultHealth, an Indegene company, hired creative marketing veteran David Stemler to take over as its new Chief Creative Officer. Stemler is trusted to help the agency define and shape its creative strategy and direction, while delivering engaging brand campaigns that generate real business outcomes for clients. His 15-year career has been packed with blockbuster launches, startup acceleration, and award-winning campaigns that have helped both patients and HCPs to engage with brands. Most recently, David was the Executive Creative Director at CDM New York, which is part of the Omnicom Health Group, and prior to this he worked with The Bloc.

“Life sciences brands are looking to dial up creativity and develop impactful content in an increasingly complex business and regulatory environment,” said Jeff Rothstein, CEO, CultHealth. “David is a creative genius, and I am thrilled to welcome him into the CultHealth family at an exciting time in our growth journey. We will double down on delivering more inspiring and engaging client campaigns.”

Inozyme Pharma Transitions to New CEO

Inozyme’s founding CEO, Axel Bolte, MSc, MBA, has retired this month to be succeeded by Douglas A. Treco, PhD, current chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. “After more than seven years leading Inozyme from concept to Phase 3 readiness, I am excited to pass the baton to Doug to lead the company into late-stage clinical development and pre-commercial activities,” Bolte said. “Doug’s experience as a leader of multiple rare disease companies and deep knowledge of our team and science uniquely positions him to lead Inozyme and further unlock its potential value. I look forward to assisting the company and Doug in this next phase.”

Dr. Treco was Co-founder, President, and CEO of Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired in 2020 by UCB for $2.5 billion) and is experienced in overseeing development of globally approved drugs in the rare disease sector.

Akoya Biosciences, Inc.

The Spatial Biology Company that provides phenotyping solutions to discovery, translational, and clinical research has appointed Johnny Ek as its new Chief Financial Officer. With 20 years of financial leadership experience across the diagnostics and life sciences tools industries, Ek joins Akoya from Specific Diagnostics.

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.

The genetic medicines biotech hired Gopi Shanker, PhD to be the new Chief Scientific Officer and help Beam advance its diverse clinical and early-stage pipeline of base-editing programs. Dr. Shanker brings over 20 years of experience in drug development across multiple drug modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and gene therapies for both common and rare disorders.

Biogen

The company’s Board of Directors appointed Caroline Dorsa to become its new Chair, from her current position as Chair of the Audit Committee. She boasts a career that spanned 21 years of financial roles at Merck and Co. and 13 years on the Board at Biogen during which the company saw tremendous growth and change.

Celyad Oncology

The Car T-cell therapy biotech named Georges Rawadi as its new CEO, after spending four years at Celyad Oncology (2014-2018) as Vice-President Business Development & Intellectual Property. In his 20-year career as a biotech leader, Rawadi is an expert research director, business developer, CEO, and board member. He was most recently the CEO and board member at Ysopia Bioscience.

Eyebiotech Limited

EyeBio appointed Anthony P. Adamis, MD, who co-founded EyeBio in 2021 and Eyetech in 2002, to be the Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Adamis has spent his career developing ophthalmologic therapeutics, resulting in 25 FDA approvals. He most recently served as VP of Product Development and Development Innovation at Genentech.

Inozyme Pharma, Inc.

Besides naming a new CEO, the company’s executive additions include new Chief Operations Officer Matthew Winton, PhD who most recently served as SVP and Head of the Multiple Sclerosis franchise for Biogen’s U.S. organization. Dr. Winton boasts extensive experience in rare diseases and is trusted to lead Inozyme’s pivotal trials in ENPP1 Deficiency and develop the market opportunity across indications.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics

The Boston-based clinical stage biotech appointed Jan Skvarka, PhD, MBA to its Board of Directors. Dr. Skvarka brings over three decades of experience to the Board as an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with extensive operational, strategic, and financial expertise. He will help the company develop its innovative molecular glue degrader pipeline and build value for stakeholders.

Morphimmune

Co-founder and former CEO of Seagen, Clay Siegall, has been tapped by the Purdue University biotech just a year after his exit from the industry due to his arrest, though he was never charged. He led Seagen for 24 years until it was sold to Pfizer for $43 billion, where he built a reputation as a dedicated colleague with exceptional workplace demeanor and values.

The Considered

A bold, new healthcare marketing agency, The Considered has created the new role of Chief Experience Officer for design thinking specialist Bam Zahraie. Zahraie will help the agency foster bonds and empowerment within the healthcare community and develop more lucid, meaningful consumer experiences. He gained experience in digital innovation, creative technology, and content-driven experiences during his tenure with the Havas network as Global Innovation Lead.

Sonata Therapeutics, Inc.

The biotech that transforms diseased cells into coordinators of cure appointed Francesco Marincola, MD to Chief Scientific Officer. He is trusted to accelerate the company’s vision to deliver novel therapeutics that reprogram diseased cells to drive robust, durable, and comprehensive cures for a broad range of diseases. Most recently, Dr. Marincola served as SVP and Global Head of Cell Therapy Research at Kite Pharma.

Viatris

The healthcare company formed in 2020 as a combination of Mylan and Pfizer’s Upjohn unit, has chosen industry veteran Scott A. Smith to be its new CEO. Smith most recently served as President of BioAtla and had a 10-year stint at Celgene where he became the company’s Chief Operating Officer. He takes over as Viatris promises a turnaround in growth for the next year.

Wugen, Inc.

The biotech developing allogeneic cell therapies for tumor malignancies has announced that Kumar Srinivasan, PhD, MBA will take over as President and CEO. Dr. Srinivasan most recently served as EVP and Chief Business Officer at Turning Point Therapeutics and has spent his 25-year career leading pharma and biotechnology companies through critical stages of growth, M&A activity, and new product launches.

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