Xphyto Therapeutics Corp. said it has made two key appointments to continue its focus on research, development and commercialization of its biosensor and diagnostic products, including for the detection of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Vancouver and Germany-based bioscience accelerator said Roland Spleiss has joined as its director of business development while Dr Heinrich Jehle has joined as head of diagnostic research.
"Mr Spleiss and Dr Jehle are tremendous additions to the XPhyto team," Professor Dr Thomas Beckert, the managing director of XPhyto subsidiary XP Diagnostics, said in a statement.
"Mr Spleiss brings robust knowledge and experience in the development of product sales and economic optimization with a demonstratable track record of success. Dr Jehle's scientific expertise ensures the continued advancement and commercialization of innovative biosensor and diagnostic products, which is a key component of XPhyto's short- and long-term success."
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The company noted that Spleiss is a seasoned commercial professional with over 25 years of experience in planning and building out effective sales forces, strategic realignment, production relocation, and project management, which makes him ideally suited to drive product sales.
In addition to extensive consulting roles, Spleiss held senior positions including chief financial officer of Worwag Pharma, a private German health and generic pharmaceutical company with over €200 million in annual sales and 900 employees. He led the company's strategic professionalization and internationalization of operations, optimization of supply chains and sales processes, and expansion into new European, Asian and Latin American healthcare markets.
“Mr Spleiss' expertise in production and supply chain management, cost optimization, and sales force and distribution network creation will be invaluable to XPhyto's commercial strategy and execution,” the company said.
Dr Jehle has over 20 years' experience in the research and development of innovative medical screening tests and diagnostics, XPhyto said. Previously, he held senior roles in project management and research and development at leading European biotech and diagnostics companies.
More recently, Dr Jehle co-founded 3a-diagnostics GmbH as managing director, where he led the development of the first saliva activated "in-mouth" biosensor candidates to identify active pathogens in the saliva and built a portfolio of innovative diagnostics biosensor products. The enzyme-activated biosensors are developed for real-time, low-cost and easy-to-use oral screening applications for the rapid detection of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, at home or at the point of care.
XPhyto is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic, and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities. It has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com