THE NETHERLANDS – January 7th, 2016 – Synaffix BV, a biotechnology company exclusively focused on the development of industry-leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology, today announced the appointment of a panel of industry experts to its inaugural scientific advisory board (SAB). Concurrent with the launch of the SAB, Synaffix has appointed Dr. Konstantinos Efthymiopoulos as the independent chairman of its Board of Directors.
SAB Members
- Stan van Boeckel, Ph.D. – Professor of Industrial Medicinal Chemistry, University of Leiden
- Hans-Joachim Boehm, Ph.D. – Former Global Head of Small Molecule Research, Roche
- Jason Chin, Ph.D. – Professor of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, University of Cambridge
- Luca Gianni, M.D. – Director of Medical Oncology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan
Dr. Efthymiopoulos commented, “I am very excited by the opportunity to contribute to the growth and the success of Synaffix. Its talented scientists, backed by a cohesive group of investors provide all the necessary ingredients to make Synaffix’ unique technology the uncontested essential component for the generation of superior ADCs”.
“The ability to attract distinguished world-leading experts as well as our new Chairman is a testament to the significant promise our technology holds for the generation and development of safer and more effective targeted cancer therapeutics. We look forward to working closely with the newest members of our team as we transition our technology into the clinic and forge additional partnerships with biotech and pharma companies,” said Peter van de Sande, CEO of Synaffix.
Independent Chairman of the Board
Dr. Efthymiopoulos is currently the Executive Chairman of Eporgen Life Sciences SpA and the Managing Director of PLUS Life Sciences Consulting Sàrl. From his international career of over 25 years in big pharma and biotech, he acquired hands-on experience that spans research to clinical development and product launch. Recent appointments include CEO of Funxional Therapeutics (anti-inflammatory assets sold to Boehringer Ingelheim), an Advisor to Index Ventures, the CSO and Head of R&D at Eurand and the Corporate VP-Head of the Dermatology business unit of Serono. He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacokinetics and M.Sc. degrees in Pharmacology and Industrial Pharmacy from the University of Strasbourg as well as an MBA from London Business School.
About the Scientific Advisory Board
Stan van Boeckel, Ph.D. – Professor of Industrial Medicinal Chemistry, University of Leiden
Dr. van Boeckel has acquired more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry encompassing small molecule and biologics discovery, including bioconjugates. His work at Organon BioSciences (acquired by Shering-Plough) which included roles as the Head of Medicinal Chemistry as well as Head of the Lead Discovery Unit, ultimately led to the approval of the antithrombotic drug Arixtra®. Dr. van Boeckel was also appointed Chief Scientific Officer of the Pivot Pivot Park and Pivot Park Screening Centre in Oss in June 2012. He obtained his Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry from Leiden University where he has held his professorship since 1993.
Hans-Joachim Boehm, Ph.D. – Former Global Head of Small Molecule Research, Roche
Prior to his position at Roche, Dr. Boehm served in various positions across the organization including the President and Research Site Head of Roche Palo Alto as well as the Head of Non-Clinical Development at Roche Basel. Before joining Roche in 1996, Dr. Boehm held positions with BASF and Siemens. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Bioinformatics at the University of Basel since 2003 and has been a member of the Swiss Science and Innovation Council since 2013. Dr. Boehm obtained his Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from the University of Karlsruhe.
Jason Chin, Ph.D. – Professor of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, University of Cambridge
Dr. Chin is a pioneer in the field of protein engineering using non-natural amino acids, an approach that facilitates site-specific modification and enhancement of biologics. He was awarded the Francis Crick Prize by the Royal Society in 2009 and the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Corday Morgan Prize in 2010. Dr. Chin graduated from Oxford University and obtained his Ph.D. from Yale University with Professor Alanna Schepartz as a Fulbright scholar, followed by a post-doc at Professor Peter Schultz’s lab at The Scripps Research Institute; he has published over 90 peer-reviewed publications.
- Luca Gianni, M.D. – Director of Medical Oncology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan
Over the course of his career, Dr. Gianni has worked extensively on new drug development in the field of oncology including the design and execution of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials using antibody-based therapeutics as well as small molecules. He was a Fogarty Fellow at the NCI from 1980 to 1983 and then the director of medical oncology and coordinator of the New Treatments’ Development Program at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, in Milan, until 2010. In 2011, ASCO awarded him the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award for his achievements in advancing the field of breast cancer research. He obtained his M.D. from the State University of Milan and has over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
About Synaffix BV
Formed in 2010, Synaffix BV is a Netherlands-based biotechnology company exclusively focused on continued advancement of our best-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology platform. As a leading innovator in the field of ADCs offering absolute versatility and state-of-the-art solutions, our vision is to become the preferred partner in the development of these complex biological therapeutics and realize our ambition – connect to cure.
Synaffix is backed by a top tier, life science-focused investor syndicate including Aravis, BioGeneration Ventures, BOM Capital and MS Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital fund of the healthcare business of Merck.
Contact:
Anthony DeBoer
Director, Business Development
Synaffix BV
+31 620 773 194
