Brings More than 25 Years of Biologics and Drug Development Experience to New Position
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearPath Development Company (ClearPath) announced today that Donna Ambrosino, MD, has joined the company's subsidiary, ClearPath Vaccines Company (CVC), as its chief medical officer. Dr. Ambrosino will play a leading role in working with the CVC team along with its partner, Astellas Pharma Inc., to identify and evaluate vaccine candidates for potential in-licensing to development company subsidiaries, and strategic planning and development of the in-licensed products.
"Donna has an extensive track record in leading the development of biological products from discovery through proof-of-concept in research and manufacturing," said George Siber, MD, chief scientific officer, ClearPath Development Company. "Her significant accomplishments in developing multiple novel antibodies make her ideally suited for her new role at CVC."
ClearPath formed a partnership with Astellas late last year to create a portfolio of development companies focused on vaccines targeting infectious diseases. The partnership launched its first company, RSV Corporation (RSVC), to develop a virosome vaccine technology for respiratory syncytial virus through completion of a Phase 2b human proof-of-concept study. Dr. Ambrosino will have direct responsibility for the clinical aspects of each development program, including RSVC.
"Donna is an internationally recognized expert in clinical trial design and brings a great depth of knowledge of infectious diseases," said Chuck Finn, PhD, chairman, ClearPath Development Company. "The combination of Donna and George Siber provides ClearPath with an unparalleled level of vaccine discovery and development experience, positioning the company for future success."
Dr. Ambrosino brings more than 25 years experience in biologics and drug development. Prior to CVC, she served as chief medical officer at Visterra in Cambridge, Mass. Earlier, she served for 13 years as the first CEO of MassBiologics and professor of pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School. At MassBiologics, the only non-profit FDA licensed vaccine and biologic manufacturer in the U.S., she discovered and developed monoclonal antibodies and built the facilities, staff, partnerships and revenue to bring products from discovery to late-stage clinical trials. Under her leadership, MassBiologics grew to 300 employees and developed three antibody products that are now in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. Before MassBiologics, Dr. Ambrosino was an associate professor of pediatrics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. At Harvard Medical School she was a National Institutes of Health-funded researcher and an internationally recognized expert in clinical trial design. She graduated summa cum laude with an A.B. degree from Harvard University and earned an M.D. degree from Dartmouth Medical School. Dr. Ambrosino resides in Boston, Mass. and serves on the board of advisors for Dartmouth Medical School's Center for Health Equity.
About ClearPath Development Company : ClearPath Development Company, a subsidiary of RRD International, works with leading biopharmaceutical companies to expand product pipeline opportunities with complementary development and finance capabilities. Its business model provides biopharmaceutical companies with an alternative mechanism for accelerating product development. This model is highly capital-efficient for development of early-stage assets, enables accelerated development for existing company assets and external assets under consideration for in-licensing, and helps de-risk development projects with tailored financing structures. For more information, visit www.clearpathdevco.com .
SOURCE ClearPath Development Company (ClearPath)
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