Adaptimmune has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Dr Rafael Amado, as its new chief medical officer, and Adrian Rawcliffe, as its chief financial officer.
The appointments are effective from 16 March and will see Dr Amado lead Adaptimmune’s clinical strategy and assume responsibility for the company’s clinical trials across the US and Europe under its strategic collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline.
He will also lead the development of the company’s pipeline of research programmes.
Prior to joining Adaptimmune, Dr Amado served as senior VP and head of oncology R&D at GSK, where he was responsible for integrating oncology global R&D activities, from drug target identification to clinical development and registration.
Dr Amado said: “I am pleased to be joining Adaptimmune at this exciting time. I have been impressed by the quality of the science and look forward to working with the team as we seek to bring potential breakthrough cancer therapies to patients.”
Meanwhile Rawcliffe will lead Adaptimmune’s financial management and operations functions including compliance and risk management.
He also joins from GSK where he was senior VP of finance at its North American pharmaceuticals business.
James Noble, chief executive Officer of Adaptimmune, said: “I am delighted that Rafael and Ad are joining the company. Each brings a wealth of invaluable experience to complement the expertise of our existing senior management team.”