Former Novartis and Roche exec named CSO of Vaccitech

Oxford University spin-out Vaccitech (Nasdaq: VACC today announced the appointment of Nadège Pelletier as chief scientific officer (CSO), to replace Tom Evans, who is retiring but will remain involved as a scientific consultant to the company.

The clinical-stage biotech, which is engaged in the discovery and development of novel immune-therapeutics and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, autoimmunity and cancer, listed on the Nasdaq in April 2021. Vaccitech and Oxford University co-invented a vaccine for COVID-19 using the ChAdOx platform, to which AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) gained rights and went on to commercialize as Vaxzevria (AZD1222).

“We are pleased to welcome Dr Pelletier to Vaccitech at the start of 2023, a year in which we anticipate several important clinical milestones,” said chief executive Bill Enright, adding: “Dr Pelletier’s wealth of experience in drug discovery and development, as well as her ability to establish and maintain lasting collaborations within the industry, will propel the advancement of our growing pipeline and support our mission to deliver first-in-class therapies for devastating diseases that pose significant public health risks.”