Neon Therapeutics taps Dr Richard Gaynor for R&D leadership role

Neon Therapeutics has appointed Dr Richard Gaynor as president of research and development to succeed its interim chief scientific office Robert Tepper, who will continue to sit on the firm's board.

Dr Gaynor recently retired from Lilly's oncology division, where he was spent more than 15 years, most recently as senior vice president of global product development and medical affairs.

At Cambridge, US-based Neon he will be tasked with guiding the immuno-oncology company's research programmes, which are focused on developing neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines and T cell therapies.

Hugh O'Dowd, chief executive officer of Neon Therapeutics said the company was privileged to have Dr Gaynor join its team.

“Richard brings an enormous depth of oncology experience, having overseen many innovative drugs through early research into clinical development and commercialisation. His knowledge and leadership reinforces Neon Therapeutics' leadership in neoantigen-based immuno-oncology treatments.”

Dr Gaynor began his career in academia before joining Lilly in 2002 to oversee both oncology drug discovery and early clinical development.