Amgen's Glenn Begley joins Oxford BioTherapeutics as a clinical advisor

Glenn Begley, former president and global head of haematology and oncology research at US biotech Amgen, has been appointed senior clinical advisor and non-executive director at Oxford BioTherapeutics.

He spent over ten years leading Amgen's cancer strategy, overseeing the progression of 24 molecules into clinical development.

In his new role he is expected to help shape and deliver Oxford BioTherapeutics's clinical and corporate strategy to bring its pipeline of oncology antibody-based drugs into clinical development.

Dr Christian Rohlff, CEO of Oxford BioTherapeutics, said: “[Glenn's] wealth of relevant clinical and commercial expertise in the oncology and antibody field will be instrumental in helping Oxford BioTherapeutics to transition into a successful clinical development organisation.”

The UK biotech's research focus is on antibody-based cancer medicines using novel drug targets identified through the firm's Oxford Genome Anatomy Project (OGAP) – a database that contains data on over 7,500 cancer membrane proteins. Companies signed up to work with Oxford BioTherapeutics using this technology include Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi.

Dr Begley said: “I am excited by this unique opportunity to join a high-calibre team at a rapidly advancing biotech company with an impressive pipeline of preclinical cancer programmes and network of collaborators / licensing partners.”