C4X Discovery Holdings PLC (LON:C4XD) said that Clive Dix, chief executive of the AIM-listed biotech has taken over as the interim chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce following the departure of Kate Bingham.
The Taskforce was set up by the UK government to find and manufacture a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine and said it will outline the plans for its long-term leadership shortly.
Dix was already deputy chair of the taskforce and C4X added that his appointment will not affect his day-to-day role as C4X's CEO.
Bingham‘'s departure follows the end of her period of tenure and comes just as the UK has started to administer the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech.
The UK is the first country to start a mass vaccination programme, but Bingham was heavily criticised for spending an estimated £670,000 on PR during her period in charge.
In a statement, Eva-Lotta Allan, Chairman of C4X, said: "The Taskforce has worked tirelessly to seek and secure new vaccines for COVID-19. This important work has resulted in the UK being at the forefront of both receiving and developing these critical vaccines and demonstrates the expertise and drive of all those involved.
"As Kate Bingham has reached the end of her agreed tenure as Chair, to ensure the smooth continuity of the work carried out by the Taskforce, Clive is stepping into the role as Chair for an interim period. The Government will confirm longer-term arrangements for the Chair role soon. Clive continues to deliver strong leadership at C4XD."
Dix added: "I am pleased to have had the opportunity thus far to contribute to the UK's fight against COVID-19 and believe that this transition is crucial to ensure continuity at this critical time. I remain fully committed to our work at C4XD and will continue to drive progress across the portfolio alongside our strong management team and Board."