Biotech Veteran Peter Olagunju Joins ImmunoScape As CEO
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- ImmunoScape Pte Ltd, an A*STAR spin-out developing T-cell receptor (TCR)-based cancer immunotherapies, has appointed biotechnology industry veteran Peter Olagunju as chief executive officer (CEO) to guide its "Seed and Boost" platform towards clinical development.
ImmunoScape in a statement said co-founder Michael Fehlings will continue to lead the company's scientific and technical strategy as chief technology officer.
Bringing over 20 years of experience in clinical development, manufacturing, and technical operations, Olagunju has contributed to seven approved products, including PROVENGE, ZYNTEGLO, ABECMA, ADSTILADRIN, SKYSONA, and LYFGENIA.
He most recently served as CEO of a Catalio Capital-backed oncology company, which he led from formation through a US$14 million seed financing to a successful corporate transaction. (US$1 = RM4.08)
ImmunoScape board member, Adrian Bot said Olagunju brings experience spanning manufacturing platforms, regulatory approvals and company building, which would support the company as it advances its platform towards clinical development.
“Solid tumours have been the hardest problem in cell therapy, and the limiting factor has consistently been persistence — getting engineered T cells to survive and keep working inside the tumour,” said Olagunju.
He said ImmunoScape’s Seed-and-Boost approach addresses the challenge through a platform applicable across autologous, allogeneic and in vivo delivery, adding that his immediate priority is working with the company’s partners to move its platform into the clinic.
Olagunju previously held chief operating officer and chief technology officer roles at TCR² Therapeutics, where he served as the operations lead on the company's acquisition by Adaptimmune, and held senior executive positions at FerGene and bluebird bio.
He is Chairman of the Board of March Biosciences and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
-- BERNAMA