Scancell, a UK developer of cancer vaccines, has made a number of changes to the structure of its executive management team.
The firm has opened new offices in San Diego to support its US growth plans and also aims to establish a new base in the Oxford area for its UK corporate and development activities.
Dr John Chiplin, who is based in the US and is currently Scancell’s Non-Executive Chairman, will assume the role of Executive Chairman and help in raising the corporate profile of the company in the US. His recent US transaction experience, as a director/CEO, includes Benitec Biopharma (US IPO), Medistem (acquired by Intrexon), Arana (acquired by Cephalon) and Domantis (acquired by GSK). Prior to Scancell Chiplin was CEO of Polynoma, a Phase III cancer vaccine company, based in San Diego.
Dr Richard Goodfellow, currently Joint CEO, will become Chief Executive and Professor Lindy Durrant, currently Joint CEO, will become Chief Scientific Officer, allowing her to focus fully on the drug discovery that underpins Scancell’s novel technology platforms.
Dr Sally Adams will remain as Development Director.
Dr Chiplin commented: 'The Board believes that these changes align management with the strategic direction outlined at the time of our recent £6m fundraising and optimally leverage expertise with the needs of the company. Scancell’s next-generation cancer vaccine platforms, ImmunoBody and Moditope, are delivering outstanding results and I am convinced that Scancell will secure wider recognition for its innovative technologies and products in both the US and Europe over the coming months.'
