Entries by Michael Kuhrt

IP Flash: Early Certainty boon or bane?

The European Patent Office (EPO) is currently pushing the project Early Certainty in order to speed up examination of patent applications. The aim is to complete examination within 12 months between request for examination and intent to grant the application or refusal.

GlaxoSmithKline: Insider Appointment

Six months ago, Andrew Witty, long-time CEO of Britains largest drug maker GlaxoSmithKline, announced he would retire in 2017. Now, GSK has named Emma Walmsley from inside the company as his successor.

Making a profit

German molecular diagnostics specialist GNA Biosolutions GmbH has appointed Frank Krieg-Schneider as its Managing Director and CEO. Krieg-Schneider holds a PhD in molecular genetics from Mainz University and has spent his working life at Qiagen.

Union builder

Swedish Gyros Protein Technologies AB, which was formed in spring by merging nanoliter-scale immunoassay expert Gyros AB and peptide synthesis instrumentation and reagent provider Protein Technologies Inc., has a new chair. Frank Witney took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors in June.

Bioelectric pro

Galvani Bioelectronics, the developer of bioelectronic medicines launched by GlaxoSmithKline and Alphabet’s life science play Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) in early August, will have a bio­electronic visionary on board. Moncef Slaoui, who expedited GSK investments in the field of bioelectronics, will be the chairman of the new company’s Board of Directors.

Clinical development know-how

French biopharma company Pharnext has appointed René Goedkoop as its new Chief Medical Officer. He joins the neurodegenerative disease specialist from Swiss Shogu Consulting SarL.

Immunotherapy pioneer

Matthias Schroff, erstwhile CEO of Mologen, has taken over the helm of immunotherapy developer Vaximm AG. The Swiss-German company appointed him Chief Executive Officer in early September.

Overseas chief

Swedish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Aprea AB has named Christian Schade President and Chief Executive Officer. Before joining Aprea, Schade was CEO of US antiviral developer Novira Therapeutics, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson last December.

Vaccine pro

Brussels-based vaccine developer Univac has appointed a new CEO. In March, Stefano Malvolti joined Univac from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where he was responsible for rolling out the vaccine development programmes of the public-private partnership.

Pharma exec

Faron Pharmaceuticals has someone new to oversee its drug development strategy. In early May, the Turku-based clinical stage biopharma company appointed Matti Karvonen as its new Medical Director.