Changing Faces

This month’s executive moves span a diverse range of organisations – from CDMOs and genomics platforms to diagnostics and digital health firms – highlighting the evolving landscape of pharma services and innovation.

Genomics pioneer takes helm at Arima. California-based 3D genomics platform developer Arima Genomics has named Tom Willis as its new CEO. Willis has a strong background as an entrepreneur, having founded ParAllele BioScience (acquired by Affymetrix) and Sequenta. Earlier in his career, he directed technology development at the Stanford Genome Technology Center during the Human Genome Project.

AGC Pharma Chemicals promotes EVP to CEO. AGC Pharma Chemicals, a global CDMO with operations in Barcelona and Japan, has a new CEO in Juri Kurihara, who previously served as the company’s executive vice president. Her extensive experience in the contract development and manufacturing sector positions her to lead AGC through its next phase of expansion and innovation.

Clariness names co-CEO to drive commercial growth. Stefan Mayer-Eggersmann, formerly chief commercial officer, has been promoted to co-CEO at Clariness, a Hamburg-based clinical trial tech company. Mayer-Eggersmann will join cofounder Michael Stadler, who continues to lead strategy and innovation. Clariness provides services ranging from study feasibility to patient recruitment and retention services.

Octave Bioscience builds out medical leadership team. Octave Bioscience, a California-based diagnostics firm focused on neurodegenerative diseases, has made three strategic hires to bolster its medical leadership:

Dr Darin Okuda, a professor of neurology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, joins as senior medical advisor. He specialises in multiple sclerosis and related disorders.
Dr Jennifer Graves has been appointed senior medical director. She currently serves as professor of neurosciences and vice chair of human clinical research at UC San Diego, and division chief of neuroimmunology at UCSD, the San Diego VA Hospital, and Rady Children’s Hospital.
Terrie Livingston, a doctor of pharmacy with experience at Biogen and Novartis, joins as vice president of medical affairs.

Storage specialists add new finance lead. UK-based R&D sample storage specialist Astoriom has named Brittany Jackson its new chief financial officer. Jackson brings financial leadership experience from Protocol, Champion Accountants, and The Manchester Metropolitan University.

A CDIO for a CRO. Worldwide Clinical Trials has expanded its C-Suite with a new chief digital and information officer in Stephen Rayda. His 20+ years of experience in healthcare technology and operations includes a stint as EVP of global enterprise systems at Syneos Health and leadership roles at Mundipharma IT Services and Purdue Pharma.

PL BioScience names new CTO. PL BioScience, a German life sciences company specialising in Human Platelet Lysate (HPL), has appointed Oliver Dick to the post of chief technology officer at. Dick previously held senior leadership roles at Resolve BioSciences, Rentschler, Miltenyi Biotec, Fresenius, and Qiagen.

Cell therapy supplier builds out team for China expansion. Johnathan Fu has joined Sphere Bio as China Distribution Manager. With over 19 years of experience in laboratory instrument sales – including roles at 10x Genomics, Roche Diagnostics, and Bio-Rad – Fu will lead the company’s expansion efforts in the Chinese market. Sphere Bio, based in Cambridge, UK, develops microfluidic tools to enable cell therapy.

Spectrum.Life brings in NHS experience, digital health expertise. Irish digital health company Spectrum.Life has appointed Dr Rizwan Khalid as medical director. An NHS veteran and seasoned digital health innovator, Khalid will help guide the company’s clinically backed and AI-driven solutions for mental health and wellbeing across its Dublin and Manchester offices.

Symbiosis strengthens business development team. Sterile GMP manufacturer Symbiosis has named Angelika Rublack as senior business development manager. Rublack brings 25 years of international sales and key account experience, including 16 years in the pharmaceutical industry.

That’s it for our digital and supplier hires for June, but stay tuned for our other hires roundups, and remember, you can send your own hires to editorial@pharmaphorum.com for inclusion in this column.