BRIEF — Bone Therapeutics goes for 'unparalleled experience' in new chairman choice

Jean Stéphenne has been named the new chairman of the board of directors at Bone Therapeutics after Steve Swinson stepped down from the role.

Mr Stéphenne has served in senior leadership roles at a large number of biotech and pharma companies, most recently as chairman of TiGenix, where he oversaw the clinical development and market approval of its most advanced allogeneic cell therapy product for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease, resulting in Takeda’s announced intention to acquire the company for 520 million euros ($641 million). He was also previously a member of the corporate executive team of UK pharma major GlaxoSmithKline and chief executive of GSK Biologicals.

Thomas Lienard, chief executive of Belgium-based Bone Therapeutics, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jean Stéphenne as our new chairman of the board.

“Jean Stéphenne has unparalleled experience in drug development and building innovative life science companies and is highly regarded within the sector. We are pleased to have attracted a chairman of such calibre, a testament to the potential of our unique bone cell therapy platform. He will be a valuable addition to an already strong board, as we advance our allogeneic cell therapy platform through critical clinical studies and towards commercialization.

Mr Stéphenne said: “Bone Therapeutics is a highly innovative company at the forefront of developments in bone cell therapy and I am very excited to be joining the board. I look forward to working closely with Thomas, the rest of the board and the whole Bone Therapeutics team as we move towards important value inflection points for the company’s bone cell therapy products for the benefit of patients.”