GlaxoSmithKline, Dupont and Bristol-Myers Squibb vet Douglas Manion, M.D., FRCP(C), has become the new CEO of Kleo Pharmaceuticals.
Manion has most recently served as SVP head of specialty development at BMS and previously headed up virology at the company, as well as holding leadership positions at GSK and Dupont. He takes over from co-founder David Spiegel, M.D., Ph.D., who himself only took the top job last September.
Spiegel, a professor of chemistry and pharmacology at Yale University, now takes on the role of president at Kleo Labs.
The New Haven, Connecticut-based upstart got off its series A last fall, led by Biohaven, although more details on the financing were not shared.
Manion will now head up the biotech’s work in attempting to pioneer a new class of immunotherapies using small molecules to help a patient’s immune system fight against both cancers and infectious diseases.
“Doug brings an incredible wealth of drug discovery and development expertise and experience to the Kleo team,” said Declan Doogan, M.D., chair at Kleo. “Without a doubt, the addition of Doug will further accelerate Kleo’s place as a leader in the field of immunotherapy be it in cancer, infectious diseases or other areas of high unmet medical need.”
“I am thrilled to join Kleo Pharmaceuticals as it accelerates its quest to provide novel immunotherapies for patients with high unmet medical need,” added Manion. “The science is so compelling. I look forward to partnering with the scientists at Kleo led by David Spiegel and the rest of the team, in advancing a truly innovative approach to enlist patients’ own immune systems to fight serious disease.”
By Ben Adams
Source: Fierce Biotech
Giovanni Caforio, the former CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, is set to become the next board chairman of Novartis, which on Tuesday proposed the pharmaceutical industry veteran as its pick to replace Joerg Reinhardt in the role next year. Reinhardt has served as Novartis’ chair since 2013 and plans to retire when his 12-year term ends in 2025.
GE HealthCare has raised the curtain on two ultrasound systems equipped with artificial intelligence programs designed to assist in diagnosing conditions in women’s health, including obstetric exams. The Voluson Signature 20 and 18 imaging systems include AI tools capable of automatically identifying and annotating measurements of fetal anatomy.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry have revealed a new sustainable method of manufacturing complex molecules that could reduce waste produced during drug production. The method published in Nature Chemistry could help to prevent severe side effects caused by drugs that can exist as enantiomers.
