UK-based biotech F-star has named Dr Eliot Forster as its new chief executive.
Dr Eliot Forster, Incoming F-Star CEO
Based at the Babraham Research Campus in the Cambridge biotech cluster, the firm has been under the leadership of Dr John Haurum since it was set up in 2006. He is now handing over to Forster, who recently left another UK biotech, Oxford-based Immunocore.
While Immunocore is focused on novel immuno-oncology drugs, F-star specialises a new generation of bispecific antibodies, with cancer also its prime focus.
F-star has two assets in development, including its lead first-in-class, Merck KGaA-partnered candidate FS118, which works by simultaneously blocking two tumour growth promoting immune checkpoint molecules.
Dr Eliot Forster has been in the sector for more than 25 years, having served in senior positions for Pfizer and GSK.
At Immunocore, he helped the company raise a huge $320m during in a series A financing round – a feat which he may aim to duplicate at his new company.
“Over recent years, IO has transformed the oncology treatment paradigm, offering significantly better options to patients,” he says.
“The co-administration of immunotherapies is expected to be the next cornerstone in cancer treatments. I believe that F-star’s first-in-class molecules bring together in a single form, the full power of IO and combinations. We anticipate this synergistic benefit will deliver more targeted, potent and safer treatment options for cancer patients.”
The company has deals with the likes of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck KGaA and AbbVie.