Onxeo, a French firm specialising in the development of orphan oncology therapeutics, has created a US subsidiary in New York City. Industry veteran Philippe Maitre will head the subsidiary as Executive VP & Chief of US Operations.
To be called Onxeo US, the new subsidiary will provide services to Onxeo as it expands its development programmes and establishes closer ties with the scientific and financial communities in the US.
Judith Greciet, CEO of Onxeo, said: 'The opening of a US subsidiary is a significant step and an important strategic initiative aimed at achieving our goal of connecting with more patients, physicians, pharma and biotech companies and investors in the US. Having a dedicated and experienced team there will allow us to adapt our future activities to the needs of the largest healthcare market in the world.'
Maitre brings more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry to Onxeo, including nearly 15 years as Corporate Officer for US public companies. He has served as Chief Executive and Co-Founder of mAbRx, a biotech company developing monoclonal antibodies against cancer stem cells in partnership with the Duke Cancer Centre.
Prior to founding mAbRx, Maitre was Chief Executive at Anosys, a cancer vaccine company spin-off from Aventis (today Sanofi). He has also served as a Chief Financial Officer for Pharmaceutical Product Development and Oscient Pharmaceuticals.
Earlier in his career, Maitre held various roles such as finance, business development and investor relations at Rhone Poulenc, Rhone Poulenc Rorer and Aventis, where he ultimately held the position of Senior Partner and Deputy CFO for Aventis Pharma Group.
