Silence Therapeutics developer of novel RNA therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases with unmet medical need, announced the appointment of Dr Annalisa Jenkins, MBBS, FRCP, CEO of Dimension Therapeutics, as Chair of Silence’s Board of Directors.
Her appointment as non-executive Chair was effective from 16 October, 2017 on which date Dr Stephen Parker, the Company’s non-executive Chairman since September 2015 will become a non-executive Director.
A biopharma thought leader, Dr Jenkins brings more than 25 years of global industry experience to Silence’s Board with a wealth of knowledge in advancing programmes from scientific research through clinical development, regulatory approval and into healthcare systems globally.
Prior to Dimension, Dr Jenkins held multiple leadership positions, including executive VP, head of Global Research and Development for Merck Serono.
She led Global Medical Affairs and Quality and was a member of Merck Serono’s Pharmaceutical Executive Committee.
Previously, Dr Jenkins had a nearly 15-year successful career at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), attaining the role of senior VP and head of Global Medical Affairs. During her tenure at BMS, Dr Jenkins played a key role in the development, approval, and/or commercialisation of products in multiple therapeutic areas, including immuno-oncology, cardiology, immunology and infectious diseases.
She began her career as a medical officer with the British Royal Navy during the Gulf conflict, rising to the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander. Dr Jenkins graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London and trained in cardiovascular medicine in the UK National Health Service.
Dr Jenkins is also a committee member of the Science Board to the FDA and serves on the advisory board of the Centre for Talent Innovation (UK) and is on the Advisory Panel of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.
Dr Annalisa Jenkins, said: “Given the recent advances in delivery and chemistry in the RNAi field, I am now of the belief that gene silencing will be a major new drug modality. I believe that Silence's technology and IP represent a significant opportunity in the next generation of drugs that will potentially transform the treatment of serious diseases with significant unmet medical need, specifically where the liver is the primary target organ.
“These disorders often have devastating outcomes for patients and their families, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s advancement of these promising product candidates towards the clinic.”
