Neovacs strengthens scientific leadership through executive appointments
Neovacs announced the enhancement of its scientific leadership team with the appointment of Therese Croughs, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Croughs replaces Pierre Vandepapeliere who is leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities. Additionally, Géraldine Grouard-Vogel, Pharm.D., Ph.D., has been promoted from Head of Research and Preclinical Development to Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Croughs brings more than 20 years of drug development and regulatory affairs experience to the CMO position at Neovacs. Her experience includes work with companies of a variety of sizes in various stages of clinical development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries across Europe, North America and Asia. Dr. Croughs will lead the clinical development programs for IFNα-Kinoid in lupus and dermatomyositis, while and preparing for the launch of the VEGF-Kinoid development program.
Dr. Croughs began her career in the pharmaceutical industry at Bayer, where she worked on the design, implementation and oversight of clinical trials and product registrations, notably r-FVIII for haemophiliac patients. After 10 years at Bayer, she joined Novo Nordisk where she served as international medical adviser for EU clinical developments of r-FVIIa in severe haemorrhages. Dr.Croughs entered the biotechnology industry in 2004 as the Director of the Adhesive Technology and New Projects Business Units of BioAlliance Pharma. Prior to joining Neovacs, Dr. Croughs was Chief Medical Officer at Cytheris for over six years, where she notably defined the R&D strategy for the worldwide development plan of Cytheris' immunotherapy program r-hIL-7 (growth factor for the immune system). Dr. Croughs has a medical degree from the Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Géraldine Grouard-Vogel, Pharm.D., Ph.D., who is currently the Director of R&D and preclinical development, has been promoted to the role of Chief Scientific Officer of Neovacs. Dr. Grouard-Vogel's new role as CSO, will allow her to oversee all scientific developments for Neovacs and play a greater role in promoting Neovacs' preclinical and clinical portfolio candidates.
Dr. Grouard-Vogel joined Neovacs in 2005 and has more than 12 years of pharmaceutical development experience in the U.S. She previously worked at Sanofi-Pasteur USA in bacterial vaccine development1. Prior to entering the biotechnology industry, Dr. Grouard-Vogel worked at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research on dengue vaccine development and at Seattle University studying HIV-dendritic cells interactions. She holds a Degree in Pharmacy from Angers University (France) and a Ph.D. in immunology - conducted with Pr. Jacques Banchereau at Schering-Plough Lyon (France). Dr. Grouard-Vogel has authored several scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and patents. She discovered the plasmacytoid dendritic cell2 and demonstrated the presence of dendritic cells in germinal center3 and dendritic cells as the first target for dengue virus. She has also authored several patents regarding the Kinoid technology.
Other news from the department people
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
