Alderley Park, Cheshire, U.K. Infex Therapeutics, a leading anti-infectives specialist, announces it has appointed a new Director of Clinical Programmes, and promoted existing staff to strengthen its senior management team.
Dr Kerry Nield has joined as Director of Clinical Programmes. As part of this new role, Kerry will oversee the progression of Infex’s lead assets through clinical development.
Kerry has over 20 years’ experience in pharmaceutical development, leading clinical and commercial operations for biopharma, and brings a wealth of experience in managing asset strategy, intellectual property, product and clinical development planning from Discovery to Phase III. Kerry previously held senior positions at Renovo Group plc, Smerud Medical Research UK, and Blueberry Therapeutics. She has a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Manchester and a BSc (Hons) in Human Genetics from University College London.
Commenting, Kerry said: “I am delighted to join Infex today as their Director of Clinical Programmes, to support their lead assets RESP-X and MET-X, as they move through the clinical trial pathway. These vital new treatments have the potential to combat difficult-to-treat infections and address the global threat from antimicrobial resistance by reviving the use of existing antibiotics.”
Infex also announces that Professor Colm Leonard has been appointed as an Executive Director, and now serves as Chief Clinical Officer, in addition to his role as Chair of the Clinical Development Committee. Colm has over 23 years’ consultant experience and has spent over 14 years as a national clinical advisor across a range of specialties and topics with The National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence (NICE) and The National Health Service England (NHSE).
Colm is a leading global expert on antimicrobial resistance (“AMR”) and since 2016 has been the clinical lead for the UK Antimicrobial Novel Value Assessment and Reimbursement Project, a joint project between NICE, NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care on novel evaluation & delinked reimbursement of antimicrobials. He was also involved in developing the sections on antimicrobial ‘pull’ incentives and diagnostics in the UK Government’s five- and twenty- year strategic AMR plans. He has been a key member of several national strategic committees and working groups on AMR, interstitial lung disease and transplant.
Dr Victoria Savage has also been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer, from her previous role as Head of Biology. Victoria is an experienced microbiologist and drug developer with over 15 years’ experience in antimicrobial research and development. She has contributed to a diverse array of antimicrobial drug development projects from hit-to-lead through to clinical stage assets, including traditional and non-traditional modalities. She holds a number of advisory roles in the biological sciences field and previously held scientific positions at Redx Anti-infectives and the University of Leeds.
Dr Ian Cooper FRSC has been appointed as Chief Research Officer, from his previous role as Head of Chemistry and Preclinical Projects. Ian is an experienced medicinal chemist and drug discovery executive with over 20 years industrial experience from hit identification through to the delivery of clinical candidates, across a range of therapeutic areas, primarily focused on anti-infectives, but also including neurology, pain, and inflammation. He previously held senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline, Redx Anti-infectives, and Insight Chemical Solutions.
Commenting on the changes, Dr Peter Jackson, CEO of Infex, said: “Colm, Vicky and Ian have already demonstrated tremendous scientific and operational expertise, and coupled with the appointment of Kerry as Director of Clinical Programmes, we are well-equipped as we progress our lead candidates through clinical-stage development.”