Stablepharma is delighted to welcome Dr Kenny Simmen to the Advisory Board, who brings over 30 years pharmaceutical expertise in R&D with a successful track record in drug discovery and external innovation. Dr Simmen will work closely with the science and commercial teams to support further R&D deals and evaluate suitable vaccine candidates that will form part of Stablepharma’s growing pipeline of fridge-free vaccines.
Until recently, Dr Simmen worked as part of the Johnson & Johnson Infectious Diseases and Vaccines leadership team. Through his work with Johnson & Johnson Innovation he led the establishment of many international collaborations & license agreements with biotechs and leading academic teams in the US, Europe and Asia.
“This is a very timely and appropriate appointment for Stablepharma, and we are delighted that Kenny has joined the team as we develop our portfolio of thermostable products and enter into GMP clinical trials with our first fridge-free vaccine for the prevention of Tetanus diphtheria (SPVX02)”, said Özgür Tuncer, CEO & Executive Director, Stablepharma Ltd.
With his experience and leadership in Johnson & Johnson, Dr Simmen was instrumental in driving the anti-infective R&D strategy against many pathogens, leading early-stage drug discovery in Tibotec and Janssen and progressing multiple drug candidates into clinical development, including the approved Hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor (Simeprevir). “Stablepharma is an interesting and progressive biotech that caught my attention with their fridge-free vaccine technology, StablevaX™. This company’s vision is to save lives, reduce the waste we see through the global cold chain, storage and distribution and in addition, minimise CO2 emissions”, said Dr Simmen.
Dr Simmen has many years’ experience working closely with a wide range of biotech SMEs, assessing collaboration, licensing and investment opportunities and delivering collaborative transactions, and will bring added strength and knowledge to the Advisory Board of Stablepharma.