Pharmaxis Ltd (ASX:PXS) (OTCMKTS:PXSLY) (FRA:UUD) has strengthened its board through the appointment of experienced senior global pharma and biotech executive Dr Neil Graham as a non-executive director.
The new US-based director, who will take up the role today, is a medicines development expert and infectious diseases epidemiologist who has had a distinguished academic and business career.
“Relevant to development assets”
Pharmaxis chairman Malcolm McComas said: “We are delighted to welcome Neil to the Pharmaxis Board.
“His global career in drug development is directly relevant to our current development assets such as the systemic pan-LOX inhibitor that will move into phase 2 studies later this year.
“We look forward to Neil’s involvement in our clinical programs and strategic partnerships.”
Role at Regeneron
Dr Graham recently retired as vice-president of Strategic Program Direction at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:REGN) where he was responsible for the pipeline portfolio.
In this role, he successfully led development of immunology and inflammation products from preclinical development to post-launch.
Between 2007 and 2009 he was senior vice-president, Program and Portfolio Management at Vertex, Cambridge, USA, overseeing all development programs including studies in cystic fibrosis and inflammation.
Evelo chief development officer
He has previously led clinical development programs as a senior executive at Trimeris Inc and XTL Biopharmaceuticals and also recently joined Evelo Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:EVLO) as chief development officer.
Dr Graham was educated at University of Adelaide (MBBS, MD, MPH). Between 1993 and 1997 he was Associate Professor of Epidemiology at John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health with research focused on HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
He has authored a number of books and publications including a considerable body of work on respiratory illness.