Dr Brett Haumann has left GlaxoSmithKline to join UK-based biopharmaceutical company Circassia as its new chief medical officer.
The allergy specialist is currently preparing its lead product candidate for late-stage trials and said the addition of Dr Haumann’s regulatory, medical and development expertise would prove invaluable.
He has over 15 years’ experience of pharmaceutical development gained at Glaxo Wellcome and then GlaxoSmithKline, during which he held a number of positions of increasing seniority.
Most recently these saw him serve as VP and medicines development leader responsible for the late-stage development of once-daily inhaled medicines for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Prior to his time in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr Haumann practised internal medicine and conducted clinical research in South Africa.
Steve Harris, Circassia’s CEO, said: “With his expertise in respiratory medicine, wide network of opinion leader contacts and proven track record in managing complex phase III studies, Brett is the ideal person to help Circassia drive its first product to market.
“We are confident our ToleroMune technology has the potential to revolutionise allergy treatment, and the leadership Brett has already demonstrated in managing one of GSK’s most important development programmes will help Circassia make this ambitious goal a reality.”
ToleroMune uses small sections of allergens (epitopes) to generate regulatory T cells that suppress allergic responses and create immune tolerance in patients.
Circassia has so far successfully brought it through mid-stage trials with cat, house dust mite, ragweed and grass allergy therapies.