Tag Archive for: CMO

Susan Blank Joins BioConfirm Laboratories as Chief Medical Officer

Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Atlanta Healing Center and President of the Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine

Life Science Partner is pleased to announce the recruitment of Susan Blank, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer for the Atlanta Healing Center to become the Chief Medical Officer for BioConfirm Laboratories-a new company based in Atlanta committed to providing personalized physician-led solutions and services for patients and clinicians surrounding addiction and substance abuse.

With her entire career focused on the treatment of addiction and behavioral health with a true passion for healing through comprehensive programs, Life Science Partner identified Blank as a key expert for establishing the therapy platform at BioConfirm.

As an active expert and advocate for addiction recovery, Blank can be heard nationwide every Tuesday on her weekly radio show “Detailing Addiction” on America’s Web Radio. “Her passion, enthusiasm, and in depth knowledge of comprehensive addiction therapy will be a major asset to BioConfirm’s growth,” states Tom Callaway, President and Founder of Life Science Partner.

Blank earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Augusta College and she completed her MD from the Medical College of Georgia.

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Michel Hermans, MD Joins TissueTech as Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Former Medical Director, Global Medical Marketing, ConvaTec

Life Science Partner recruited Michel Hermans, MD, a surgically trained medical affairs executive to become Chief Medical Officer for TissueTech.

Hermans joins TissueTech after serving as a biopharma consultant for his own firm and Medical Director, Global Medical Marketing for ConvaTech.   Previously, Hermans served served as Medical Director for Ortec where he successfully led the new clinical trials for the commercialization of OrCel globally.

TissueTech, Inc. is a leader in regenerative amniotic tissue-based products for use in the ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedic reconstructive surgeries and wound care markets.

TissueTech offers its portfolio products through its commercial entities: BioTissue, Inc., the industry leader in regenerative tissue therapies for ocular surface diseases and disorders, and Amniox Medical, a leading technology provider to the orthopedic and wound care markets.

“Hermans has the direct clinical trials management experience that leads to the approval of biologics in the BLA regulatory pathway – and brings that background to TissueTech’s clinical and regulatory strategy,” states Tom Callaway, MD, Founder and President of Life Science Partner.  “In addition, as a specialist in treating burn patients, he brings real-life clinical experience to the company.”

Hermans earned his Medical Degree from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and completed his training in general surgery, burn and trauma care from the Rode Kruis Ziekenhuis and Burn Center in Beverwijk, Netherlands.

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Bob Wassman, MD, Recruited to become Chief Medical Officer for Lineagen

Former Chief Medical Officer Rosetta Genomics

Life Science Partner recruited Bob Wassman, MD, to become Chief Medical Officer of Lineagen to lead The Company’s clinical direction, product strategy, medical affairs, and global trials and registration process for Lineagen’s products and services.

Previously, as Chief Medical Officer for Rosetta Genomics, Wassman played a critical role in building the commercial, clinical and reimbursement strategy for the Rosetta’s microRNA-based platform technologies. He partnered closely with CEO Ken Berlin to evaluate new technologies to build out a fully personalized medicine resulting in the acquisition of PersonalizedDx.

Wassman joined Rosetta after leading the pharmagenomics services program at CVS Caremark, after, It’s acquisition of Generation Health, to improve precision therapy management and guide program development. Throughout his career Wassman has served in several key genomic leadership roles for cutting edge companies such as Good Start Genetics, Celula, Genzyme, and Prometheus.

“With a successful track record in building CLIA-based laboratory businesses combining scientific and clinical knowledge, Wassman will be a critical asset for Lineagen’s future growth and development,” stated Tom Callaway, MD, President and Founder of Life Science Partner.

Wassman earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Yale University and his MD from Albany Medical College.

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Gloria Matthews, DVM, Joins Histogenics as Chief Medical Officer

Former Senior Director, Research and Development At Genzyme/Sanofi

Life Science Partner has recruited Gloria Matthews, DVM, PhD to become Chief Medical Officer at Histogenics.

In her new role Matthews will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Adam Gridley, and will serve as the senior physician within Histogenics responsible for clinical direction, product strategy, medical affairs, and strategic oversight of the global clinical trials for the Company’s products.

Mathews joins Histogenics from Genzyme/Sanofi where she led the global development team focused on two autologous cell therapies for cartridge repair including Carticel. She is a well published and leader in the field of regenerative medicine, with a corporate background that integrates fundamental science, clinical development, and global regulatory expertise.

“As a globally recognized thought leader for orthopedic R&D, Matthews has led global teams focused on regenerative medicine including US, Europe and Asia,” noted Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner. “With her deep knowledge of cartilage regeneration and its challenges, Matthews will bring her considerable experience to help commercialize Histogenics’ portfolio.”

Matthews received her Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and Animal Science, as well as her PhD in Cell/Matrix Biology and DVM from Cornell University.

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Jon Hopper, MBChB Recruited to Osiris Therapeutics

Former Vice President, Global Medical Director, Stryker

Life Science Partner recruited Jon Hopper, MBChB, an accomplished physician executive to become Chief Medical Officer for Osiris Therapeutics. Osiris is the leading stem cell company focused on developing products to treat conditions in wound care, orthopedic and sports medicine markets.

Hopper joins Osiris after serving as the Vice President, Global Medical Director at Stryker. In his new role, Hopper will report directly to CEO Lode Debrabandere and oversee medical affairs, clinical development and regulatory affairs globally. He will be responsible for providing high-level market strategy for Osiris’ leadership within regenerative medicine.

“Hopper has a worldview of developing and marketing both orthopedic and wound healing products in the US, Asia and Europe,” notes Tom Callaway, MD, President of Life Science Partner. “He has helped developing clinical and post-marketing plans for complex biologic products including living cells.”

Hopper earned both his Bachelor of Science Degree in Anatomical Studies and his MB ChB from the University of Birmingham, UK.

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Life Science Partner Recruits Mark Brecher as Chief Medical Officer for the Laboratory Corporation of America

Former Professor and Vice-Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director of McLendon Clinical Laboratories Joins LabCorp.

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of Mark Brecher, MD, formerly Director of McLendon Clinical Laboratories at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, to the Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp).

LabCorp is one of the world’s largest clinical laboratory networks with scientific expertise in esoteric testing, genomics, and clinical and anatomic pathology.  LabCorp performs more than one million tests on approximately 400,000 samples each day.  LabCorp is a pioneer in the commercialization of new diagnostic technologies, with more than 35 years of experience in serving physicians and their patients. Brecher will fill the role of retiring Chief Medical Officer, Myla Lai-Goldman.

Brecher has been with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 1992 where he most recently served as Professor and Vice-Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chair of the McLendon Clinical Laboratories, Director of Clinical Pathology and the past Director of Transplantation and Transfusion Services.

In his new role at LabCorp, Brecher will have primary responsibility to oversee the clinical pathologists and laboratory technicians, lead quality for the organization, and provide insight into new technologies and services that will make LabCorp the continued leader in the clinical diagnostic arena.

“Brecher is a demonstrated leader in academic medicine – and in providing leadership to physician-led organizations,” noted Tom Callaway, President of Life Science Partner.    “While he has a national reputation in transfusion medicine, but he has built a solid program at Chapel Hill of outreach to physicians seeking esoteric testing services.”

Brecher was awarded his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry at Emory University and his Medical Degree from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago.   He completed a Surgical Residency, as well as Clinical and Anatomic Pathology Residencies, at the University of Chicago School of Medicine where he served at Chief Resident.

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Ross Tonkens, MD, Chosen to Lead Clinical Development at Regado Biosciences

Life Science Partner recruits pharmaceutical veteran and cardiology specialist as chief medical officer

Life Science Partner announces the recruitment of  Ross Tonkens, MD, FACP, to become the chief medical officer of Regado Biosciences.  Tonkens joins the company from Quintiles Transnational where he served as senior director, medical and scientific services and global scientific head for cardiovascular therapeutics.

Regado Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company developing antidote-controlled therapeutics via simultaneous rational design of drug-antidote pairs.  Regado is initially focusing on the acute care antithrombotics market, with its lead product – REG1 anticoagulation system – the first specific direct-acting, antidote-controlled anticoagulant.

Tonkens is uniquely qualified to lead clinical and regulatory development due to his broad experience leading global teams in the cardiovascular therapeutic category.  Since 2001, Tonkens has managed a global team of cardiovascular, pulmonary and critical care physicians who oversee drug and device trials for Quintiles’ clients.  In addition, he managed four cardiologists based in Europe and a global portfolio of trials.

“For Regado, Ross was an exceptional find,” says Life Science Partner, founder and president Tom Callaway, MD. “In addition to his clinical trial experience, his role at Quintiles allowed him to work with many early-stage companies – and develop the strategic skills to determine what’s possible to make great science commercially feasible despite finite resources.”

A cardiologist by training, Tonkens combines experience in academic research with strong business analytical skills and accomplishments in corporate pharmaceutical environments.

Tonkens earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Yale. He continued his training in Los Angeles, as an intern at Cedars-Sinai and residency in diagnostic radiology and internal medicine at UCLA.  He returned to Cedars Sinai for his cardiology fellowship.

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Rajesh Malik Chosen To Lead Clinical Development – Adherex

Life Science Partner places pharmaceutical veteran and oncology specialist as chief medical officer

ATLANTA, Georgia – September 7, 2004 – Life Science Partner announces the placement of Rajesh K. Malik, M.B., Ch.B. as chief medical officer at Adherex Technologies, Inc., in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. With the position, Malik takes responsibility for the clinical development efforts behind Adherex’s growing portfolio of oncology products. He will

guide decisions about clinical utility, formulate regulatory strategies for the U.S. and Europe, lead the clinical trials design team, and promote physician advocacy. A biopharmaceutical company, Adherex discovers and develops cancer therapeutics through its pioneering platform for tumor vascular targeting.

“For Adherex, Raj was an exceptional find,” says Life Science Partner, Founder and President Thomas H. Callaway. “In addition to his original insights into anti-angiogenesis, which is at the core of Adherex’s product portfolio, he has a successful record of regulatory submission on three continents and he fully understands the commercialization process.”

A pediatric oncologist by training, Malik combines experience in cutting-edge academic research with strong business analytical skills and accomplishments in corporate pharmaceutical environments large and small.

Prior to Adherex, Malik was executive director at EMD Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Germany-based Merck KGaA. As part of senior management at EMD, Malik led global project management for single oncology products and served on the company’s combined business and clinical operations team to guide global oncology product strategy.

As associate director at Bristol Myers Squibb, Malik held responsibility for the clinical development strategy for oral taxane worldwide and provided clinical oversight for Erbitux in Europe.

Malik also spent seven years as an assistant professor at the University of Virginia, where his research focused on signal transduction across the interface of integrins and extra cellular matrix.

Malik holds a medical degree from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K. He is licensed in pediatrics in North Carolina and Virginia.

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