Imugene makes key business development appointment

Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU) (OTCMKTS:IUGNF) has appointed Dr Monil Shah as chief business officer (CBO) and a member of the company’s executive management team.

Shah will lead the company’s global business development and partnering activities and support its clinical development.

Imugene is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing a range of new and novel immunotherapies that seek to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumours.

The company’s product pipeline includes multiple immunotherapy B cell vaccine candidates and oncolytic virotherapy (CF33) aimed at treating a variety of cancers in combination with standard of care drugs.

“Look forward to valuable contribution”

Imugene managing director and CEO Leslie Chong said: “We look forward to the valuable contribution Dr Shah will make to advance our important immuno-oncology programs and I’m excited by someone of his calibre and experience in cellular therapy is joining Imugene as a chief business officer.”

Shah has more than 20 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry experience in oncology drug development.

Relevant experience

His most recent appointment was as a chief development officer at WindMIL Therapeutics, responsible for the cell therapy platform.

Before WindMIL, Shah was the chief operating officer of Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics leading cytokine drug development for oncology patients.

Before that, he was the medical affairs lead for immuno-oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb responsible for checkpoint inhibitor development programs.

BD capability

Imugene executive chairman Paul Hopper said “Monil adds a critical business development capability to our senior management team, and we are pleased to welcome him to Imugene.”

Shah also was the founder and head of clinical development and operations at Ventrus Biosciences prior to its merger with Assembly Biosciences.

He has received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and doctorate of pharmacy degrees from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

“Enthusiastic to join team”

Shah said: “With a pipeline of innovative immunotherapy vaccines and oncolytic viruses including the revolutionary CD19-CF33 onCARlytics with at potential to help solid tumour patients together with CAR T therapy, I am enthusiastic to join this wonderful team of experts at Imugene.

“We will continue to drive towards better and safer treatments for the benefit of patients.”

Story by ProactiveInvestors