Gene&Cell Therapy >> Exclusive: Ex-Affimed CEO heads to UK nanomedicine biotech;
Jami Rubin leaves Boundless Bio after IPO: Adi Hoess
Adi Hoess describes himself as someone who “likes to build” companies focused on “challenging technologies.” It’s fitting, then, that after spending more than a decade as CEO of German biotech Affimed, he’s moving to nanomedicine company ViaNautis Bio.
Hoess is replacing ViaNautis co-founder Francesca Crawford as the company’s chief executive. The “wish list” for improving genetic medicines is long, but the issue “that really stands out” is that of “tissue- and cell-specific delivery,” Hoess told Endpoints News in an interview.
ViaNautis is working to tackle this problem with its PolyNaut platform, which enables intracellular delivery of a range of payloads. The UK biotech has passed the blood-brain barrier with its tech and is now working to deliver its payloads to certain cells in the lungs and immune system. Some of its programs will center on CNS diseases and cystic fibrosis, Hoess said.
A spinout of University College London, ViaNautis secured $25 million through a Series A raise in November last year, which should support its activities through early 2026. The company’s initial focus will be mRNA and siRNA therapeutics, alongside other RNA-based molecules.
Hoess’ first task at the UK biotech is “building a seasoned management team,” which includes the upcoming appointment of a new chief scientific officer. Before heading up Affimed, Hoess helped develop and launch the rare disease drug Firazyr at Jerini. — Ayisha Sharma
Jami Rubin
→ Jami Rubin is departing her CFO post at Boundless Bio about 14 months after joining the early-stage cancer biotech, which she helped take public in a $100 million March IPO as $BOLD. It was a bold move indeed: The company’s share price has cratered 78%. The “Conglomerate Killer” and former longtime analyst decided to leave the San Diego startup for “personal reasons,” according to a Monday announcement. She will continue as a venture partner at early Boundless investor ARCH Venture Partners, a spokesperson for the VC firm told Endpoints.
Jonathan Dickinson
→ Jonathan Dickinson is coming to Innate Pharma as CEO and chairman of the executive board on Nov. 1. Co-founder Hervé Brailly had been filling in as interim chief, and Mondher Mahjoubi spent seven years at the top spot until he became chief patient officer at GSK in February. Dickinson had a 13-year stint at Roche, with stops at Bristol Myers Squibb and Novartis sandwiched in between. He had been general manager, Europe for Incyte since 2016 and was bumped up to EVP three years later. Innate Pharma’s lead program lacutamab is being studied in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma and peripheral T cell lymphoma, and the French biotech is teaming up with AstraZeneca on monalizumab for non-small cell… #lucidquest #genetherapy #celltherapy