People spotlight — June 2021

Moderna, Inc., a biotech company and mRNA vaccine developer, announced that Paul Burton, MD, PhD, FACC, MRCS, will join the company as chief medical officer, effective July 6. He will serve on Moderna’s executive committee and report to CEO Stéphane Bancel.

Nabriva Therapeutics plc, a biopharma company, disclosed that Dr. Mark Corrigan and Lisa Dalton have joined the company’s board of directors. In addition, after many years of service, Dr. George Talbot has decided not to run for board re-election. Dr. Talbot is expected to continue his service on the board until the end of his term at the 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders.

CureVac N.V., a developer of medicines based on mRNA, has appointed Klaus Edvardsen, MD, PhD, as chief development officer, which will take effect on Aug. 1.

Biopharma company Ovid Therapeutics Inc., which develops medicines revolving around rare neurological diseases, announced that current chief business officer Jeffrey Rona has expanded his role to include chief financial officer responsibilities. Rona has more than 25 years of experience as an investment banker, chief business officer, and chief financial officer in the life sciences field.

Aradhana Sarin, MD. Credit: Alexion Pharmaceuticals

AstraZeneca PLC noted that the board has appointed Aradhana Sarin, MD as executive director and chief financial officer, conditional upon closing of AstraZeneca’s acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and effective on the later of either Aug. 1 or the date of closing, which is expected to take place in the Q3 2021. Dr. Sarin is currently executive vice president, chief financial officer of Alexion.

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharma company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies for life-threatening diseases, revealed the appointment of Minnie Baylor-Henry, JD, to the company’s board of directors. Baylor-Henry is president of B-Henry & Associates, a consulting firm focused on providing regulatory and compliance strategy services to life sciences companies.

Roland Hoffmann-Hecht, PhD. Credit: Selexis SA

Selexis SA, a JSR Life Sciences company, has named Roland Hoffmann-Hecht, PhD, its new chief business officer. As a member of the company’s executive leadership team, Dr. Hoffmann-Hecht will be responsible for all corporate and business development activities and will report directly to Selexis CEO Dirk Lange.

Syneos Health, a biopharma clinical and commercial solutions organization, announced the appointment of David S. Wilkes, MD, to the company’s board of directors. The company also noted that John Maldonado, managing partner at Advent International Corporation, and Josh Nelson, managing director at THL Partners, have stepped down from the company’s board of directors.

Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services, a UK-based contract manufacturing organization (CMO) that specializes in sterile manufacture of vaccines, pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, has appointed Jette Cowan as business development manager for the northern region of the EU. Jette will be tasked with developing strategic relationships with new and existing clients across the Nordic region and Germany.

Akoya Biosciences, Inc. has appointed Scott Mendel to its board of directors. Mendel is currently CEO of GenMark Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics company. In April, Roche acquired GenMark for $1.8 billion.