Ablynx replaces CSO with Robert Friesen

Belgian biotech firm Ablynx (Euronext Brussels: ABLX) today announced the appointment of Robert Friesen as chief scientific officer (CSO), effective March 1, 2018.

Dr Friesen will lead the company’s scientific, research and technology activities and become a member of the executive committee. He succeeds Dr Antonin de Fougerolles, Ablynx’ previous CSO, who left the company last year to become chief executive at Evox Therapeutics.

Dr Friesen has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, leading multiple R&D organizations. He joins Ablynx from ProQR Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, where he is currently senior vice president, heading the science and early development division. Prior to joining ProQR Therapeutics, Dr Friesen worked at Janssen BioTherapeutics, a Johnson & Johnson company as global head of biologics research, where he established an efficient R&D organization of more than 200 scientists and professionals located in Europe and US; and at the Crucell Vaccine Institute, also a J&J company.