Welcome to this week's roundup of significant leadership moves across the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Here's a look at the latest executive shifts that are reshaping companies and driving innovation.
Metabolic Marketing Master Takes the Helm at Prolynx
After three decades climbing the ranks in sales and marketing at major pharmaceutical companies, Chris Boulton has been named CEO of preclinical biotech Prolynx. Boulton will lead the company, which focuses on developing longer-acting drug candidates for obesity and related metabolic conditions. His most recent role was as head of global marketing for the obesity therapy area at Amgen, a position he assumed in spring 2024. Prior to that, he held marketing and commercial roles at Ardana, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca. This move highlights how deep marketing expertise is increasingly valued in top leadership positions within the biotech sector.
Kyowa Kirin Makes Historic CEO Appointment
Japanese pharmaceutical giant Kyowa Kirin is transitioning from a dual CEO/COO structure to a single CEO model by March 2026. Abdul Mullick, Ph.D., who currently serves as chief operating officer, is set to become CEO, while current chief Masashi Miyamoto, Ph.D. will remain as board chairman. Mullick will be the first non-Japanese CEO in Kyowa's over 70-year history. The transition period was designed to allow Mullick to navigate cultural differences and balance the company's heritage with modern challenges. Miyamoto praised Mullick for successfully integrating into the company's culture, and Mullick expressed his commitment to nurturing Kyowa's unique environment.
Rebranded Biotech PsiThera Launches with Former Seres CEO
Psivant Therapeutics has rebranded as PsiThera, launching with a $47.5 million Series A funding round and former Seres CEO Eric Shaff at the helm. The company aims to develop oral "antibody-in-a-pill" medicines for immunology targets, with several early-stage programs already in progress. Shaff brings nearly 11 years of experience from Seres, where he oversaw the FDA approval and launch of Vowst, the first oral microbiome drug for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. His background also includes roles at Sigilon Therapeutics, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, and Genzyme.
Additional Leadership Moves Across the Industry
- Mark Manfredi, Ph.D., is taking over as CEO of Disco Pharmaceuticals, replacing founding CEO Roman Thomas, M.D., as the oncology-focused biotech closes a 36 million euro seed funding round.
- Centessa Pharmaceuticals promoted Alberto Accardi, Ph.D., founder of its orexin receptor 2 agonist program, to CEO, while current chief Saurabh Saha, M.D., Ph.D., will become advisor to the CEO effective January 1.
- Enliven Therapeutics is entering a new phase as it approaches a pivotal Phase 3 trial, appointing Rick Fair as CEO and moving co-founder Sam Kintz to head of pipeline.
- Jubilant Therapeutics appointed Daniel O’Connor as CEO, who previously served as chief executive at Ambrx Biopharma.
- K36 Therapeutics named Shinta Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., as chief medical officer just before presenting new data at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting.
- Serina Therapeutics, focused on Parkinson's disease, appointed Joshua Thomas, Ph.D., as vice president and head of chemistry.
These leadership changes reflect ongoing trends in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, where marketing expertise, cultural integration, and innovative drug development are key drivers of executive appointments.
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