BiVictriX Therapeutics PLC (AIM:BVX, OTC:BVTXF) said it has appointed Dr Michael Kauffman as its new non-executive chairman, taking over from Iain Ross, who is staying on as a non-executive director of the emerging biotech company.
Dr Kauffman, who joined BiVictriX as a non-executive director in January 2022, is a highly experienced cancer drug developer, having been instrumental in the approval of several oncology therapeutics over 20 years of working across preclinical research, clinical development, regulatory strategy and commercialisation, the company said.
As non-executive chairman, he will draw upon his previous experience as co-founder and CEO of oncology company Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc, which he guided from a discovery-stage biotechnology company to a commercial-stage organisation, with global approvals of cancer drug XPOVIO.
READ: BiVictriX Therapeutics identifies a development lead for its BVX001 cancer programme
Commenting on Dr Kauffman’s appointment, BiVictriX CEO Tiffany Thorn said: "With the recent identification of our lead candidate, the transition of Michael Kauffman to non-executive chairman of the board comes at a pivotal time in BiVictriX's development.
“I am delighted to welcome Michael to his new role; no doubt his wealth of expertise across oncology drug development will continue to prove invaluable during the next stage of our progression.
“I would like to also express gratitude on behalf of the whole company to Iain for his excellent support, taking us through from IPO to candidate identification and look forward to continuing to work alongside him as a valued member of our board."
Dr Kauffman commented: "Having been a member of BiVictriX's Board over the past year, I have witnessed the company's remarkable progress and am excited to step up to chairman at this stage of the company's development.”
BiVictriX utilises a first-in-class approach to generate a proprietary pipeline of Bi-Cygni therapeutics which are designed to selectively target cancer-specific antigen pairs, or "twin antigens fingerprints", on tumour cells, which are largely absent from healthy cells.
“The Bi-Cygni platform is designed to optimise the potential of ADCs [Antibody Drug Conjugates] by reducing off target-binding associated with toxicities and increasing tumor-selective killing. I am looking forward to BiVictriX progressing BVX001 into the clinic, where we hope to be differentiated by our delivery of key outcomes in cancer-selective therapies for the support of patients who currently have limited options," Kauffman added.