Changing Faces

September was a significant month for the companies that support the life sciences industry like CROs, CDMOs, and suppliers, as well as digital health companies. The month saw a number of leadership changes at the top, as well as a smattering of appointments further down the org chart. Read on for our September round-up.

CEO changes from Taiwan to Latvia. A handful of companies in manufacturing and research around the world brought in new leaders last month.

HALIX, a Dutch contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) specialising in complex therapeutic antibodies and viral products, appointed Dr Lutz Hilbrich as its new CEO. Hilbrich, a 20-year pharma and biotech veteran, steps in to replace the departing Alex Huybens.
In Taiwan, Tanvex BioPharma, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the biosimilar market that also offers CDMO services, named Stephen Lam as its new CEO. Lam, who most recently served as head of biologics at Thermo Fisher Scientific, succeeded Henry Chen, who remains as Board Chair.
Latvian compound sourcing specialist Molport, which sells more than 5 million unique chemical stock compounds, welcomed Diana Zelencova-Gopejenko as its new CEO. An expert in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, Zelencova-Gopejenko previously worked as a researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. She takes over from longtime CEO Imants Zudan.
Avania, a US and Netherlands-based contract research organisation (CRO) with a focus on medical devices, IVDs, biologics, and device-drug combination products, appointed Jason Monteleone as its new President and CEO. Monteleone, who previously led Clinipace until its acquisition by dMed in 2021, succeeds Sapna Hornyak in the role.

Three CDMOs bring in new execs. A number of September hires were seen in the manufacturing space, including a couple in the C-Suite.

Oxford Biomedica, an Oxford-based cell and gene therapy-focused CDMO, brought on Lucinda Crabtree as its new CFO. Previously, Crabtree served in the same role at MorphoSys until the company's acquisition by Novartis.
Dutch CDMO BioConnection, which specialises in injectable products, welcomed Richard Sewalt as its new chief commercial officer. Sewalt previously held CCO positions at Synthon in the Netherlands and Galenicum in Spain.
Enzene Biosciences, a fully-integrated CDMO with sites in Pune, India and Hopewell, New Jersey, appointed Norm Stoffregen as its new SVP and head of biologics manufacturing. Stoffregen brings more than two decades of industry experience, including leadership roles at PTC Therapeutics and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Health tech and med tech sectors see new appointments. We saw several hires at technology companies this month in a variety of roles.

Global medical technology specialist Boston Scientific appointed Dr Angelo Auricchio as chief medical officer for its rhythm management business. Auricchio, an expert in cardiology and electrophysiology, joined with more than 30 years of experience in the field.
OMNY Health, a company that helps providers and life sciences companies obtain and manage real-world data, named Jason Sibly as its new SVP of finance. Sibly brings more than 15 years of private equity and venture capital investment expertise to the role.
French medtech company Germitec, which specialises in infection prevention for ultrasound probes, welcomed Keith Koby as its new president for North America. Koby brought over 30 years of experience from medtech innovators such as GE Healthcare and Nanosonics.
Genomics Plc, an Oxford University spin-off focused on creating precision healthcare tools for drug discovery, named David Thornton as its new president. Thornton, who most recently led the Commercial Engagement Services Division at IQVIA, steps in for Gil McVean, who will join the company’s board.

Gen AI start-up drafts Microsoft, Philips vets. Danish tech company Corti, which is working on a healthcare-specific generative AI platform, made several key appointments

Dr Frederik Brabant joined as chief medical strategy officer, having previously served as chief medical information officer and VP of international healthcare partnerships at Microsoft Nuance.
Chad Compton took on the role of chief revenue officer after overseeing the healthcare sales team at Nuance and, following its acquisition, working at Microsoft.
Yvonne Kirsch was appointed VP partnerships for North America, coming from Philips Speech, where she ran the North America unit.

Real estate company adds new life sciences lead. JLL, a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, appointed Gul Dusi as its national life sciences industry lead for Project and Development Services (PDS) for the Americas market. Dusi joins with more than two decades of experience in commercial real estate.

CRO taps pharma vet to lead business unit. Worldwide Clinical Trials, a full-service global CRO based in North Carolina, appointed Alessandra Vignola as president of its cardiovascular and metabolic business unit. Vignola brings 30 years of experience in the space, spanning roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, PPD, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

That’s it for this edition of Changing Faces. Don’t forget, if you’ve had a recent appointment and you work in or around the pharma space, we want to hear about it. Please send your press releases to editorial@pharmaphorum.com to be included in future editions of Changing Faces.