Pharming changes CEO, Evotec loses CSO and Nanobiotix hires CFO
Every Friday, The Leadership Edit follows people taking new roles across European biotech and what their moves may tell us about the companies they join. This week: an immediate CEO change at Pharming, a scientific leadership vacancy at Evotec and a new finance chief at Nanobiotix.
Pharming: CEO exits after strategic disagreement. Fabrice Chouraqui stepped down on September 29 after he and the company’s board concluded that their views on executing the Dutch biotech’s strategy were not sufficiently aligned. Chief Commercial Officer Leverne Marsh and Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Lynard became interim co-CEOs while the board searches for a successor. Go deeper.
Evotec: Cord Dohrmann leaves the CSO role. Dohrmann stepped down September 30 by mutual agreement after 16 years as chief scientific officer and a member of the management board. Evotec has begun searching for a replacement but has not named one. Go deeper.
Nanobiotix: Arnd Christ becomes CFO. The former Immatics finance chief joined the French biotech’s executive board on October 1, succeeding Bart Van Rhijn, who is leaving after five years. Christ arrives as Nanobiotix seeks to develop more of its technology platforms alongside its lead cancer program. Go deeper.
Bayer: Christoph Koenen adds the CMO role. Koenen became chief medical officer on October 1 while retaining his position as head of clinical development and operations in Bayer’s pharmaceuticals division. The combined responsibilities bring clinical development and medical strategy under the same leader. Go deeper.
Addex Therapeutics: A familiar face returns to development. Jean-Philippe Rocher has rejoined the Swiss biotech as head of pharmaceutical development and a member of executive management. He returns shortly after Addex regained rights to its GABA-B drug portfolio from Indivior. Mikhail Kalinichev is leaving his Addex role as head of translational science to focus on a similar position at its spinout Neurosterix. Go deeper.
Numab Therapeutics: Rajesh Chopra becomes CSO. The Swiss antibody developer hired Chopra to lead its scientific strategy as it advances programs in immunology and oncology. Its pipeline includes NM81, a trispecific antibody being developed for inflammatory bowel disease. Go deeper.
T-CURX: Florian Schmid takes charge of finance. The German CAR-T developer appointed the former iOmx Therapeutics CFO to oversee finance, operations and investor relations. His first priority is planned financing to support its cell therapy programs after Swiss regulators cleared its lead candidate, TCX-001, to enter a Phase 1 trial. Go deeper.
