Ablynx has named former GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) executive Johan Heylen as chief commercial officer.
Heylen spent 17 years at GSK, serving most recently as executive director, global commercial lead for its cancer immunotherapeutics division.
In this role he headed the global commercial teams of GSK and was responsible for the development and implementation of the launch strategy for several drugs, including Rotarix, Priorix and Varilix.
Heylen now heads commercial operations at Ablynx, growing biopharma specialising in the development of Nanobodies, tiny fragments of antibodies with therapeutic potential.
He said: “Ablynx has an extraordinary pipeline of products based on its unique Nanobody discovery platform, validated by an impressive list of partners.
“I look forward to working with the first-class team to support the company as it moves to the next stage of development and begins to anticipate the commercialisation of the first Nanobody-based therapeutics.”
Heylen also has experience at Servier and Wyeth having started his career in healthcare as a pharmacist.