Endocyte has appointed Dr Scot Harper as VP, clinical operations, where he will be responsible for clinical trial operations at the US biopharma company.
Dr Harper (pictured right) joins from clinical research organisation (CRO) Parexel, where he held the role of global portfolio director for oncology, overseeing clinical activities for cancer drugs from phase I to IV development.
He also has experience working in clinical operations for major pharma companies, serving as VP of Novartis’ North American clinical operations, and senior director of clinical operations at Lilly.
Prior to this, Dr Harper worked in new product development at SmithKline Beechham.
Endocyte, which focuses on developing therapies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, will benefit from his experience of working on the development of major oncology brands like Tasigna and Gleevec.
“Scot has deep expertise in the drug development process and management of all stages of clinical trials, and he will play a key role at Endocyte as we seek to expand and advance our platform,” said Ron Ellis, Endocyte’s president and CEO, referencing the development of oncology candidates vintafolide and etarfolatide, which are in phase III and phase II trials respectively.
In addition, Endocyte says it has three new drug candidates scheduled to enter the clinic before the end of 2014.