Rick joined Nouscom in September 2020 as Chief Business Officer.
“Rick has been instrumental in the company’s development since he joined in 2020, proactively using his extensive networks to build relationships with major players in the field, as a foundation for future value-creating partnerships and to maximise the potential of our proprietary viral vector vaccine platform,” said Marina Udier, Chief Executive Officer.
“Rick was highly influential in establishing and managing the collaboration with Janssen Oncology, leading to a recent US FDA IND clearance of the first licensed programme from Nouscom’s proprietary platform, VAC-85135, a potential off-the-shelf, viral vector-based cancer vaccine.”
“The promotion to COO is well deserved and I look forward to continuing to work with Rick, maximising his strategic business and financing expertise, as we position the company for continued growth and success.”
Rick has more than 20 years of experience in the life sciences sector with significant expertise in business development and investment, focused on building strategic partnerships and growth strategies. Rick joined Nouscom from Johnson and Johnson Innovation where he was the Global Oncology Venture and Transaction Lead seeking opportunities from startups through to collaborations with biotechnology companies.
Rick has also held further investment, financing and business development roles at Wellcome Trust, leading healthcare investments in private and public equities and venture capital funds.
Prior to Johnson & Johnson, Rick was CEO at Trino Therapeutics, a European privately held biotechnology company. Rick has sat on the Board for a number of biotech companies, working closely with the management teams on strategy, financing and exits via M&A and public listings. Rick began his career at Pharmagene in clinical development after obtaining a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Leicester.