Coulter Partners successfully places Chief Development Officer in the US for UK biotech company CellCentric
London, September 26, 2024 – Coulter Partners, the global expert building leadership teams for Health, Science and Technology innovation businesses, recently partnered with CellCentric and is pleased to announce the placement of Andy Fergus as Chief Development Officer. Andy joined CellCentric in September 2024, and is Boston based.
CellCentric’s mission is to transform outcomes for people living with specific cancers, notably relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, as quickly and effectively as possible. The clinical-stage biotech company focuses on the development of inobrodib, a first in class p300/CBP inhibitor for the treatment of specific cancer types.
Andy Fergus brings over 20 years of experience in multiple myeloma drug development. He will help to lead the clinical development of inobrodib, focusing on the current phase II trials and subsequent pivotal studies.
Andy joins CellCentric from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Executive Director and Global Project Leader for their Oncology Therapeutic Area, specifically focused on multiple myeloma. At Takeda, he led cross-functional teams through clinical development to regulatory approval and commercialization. During this time, he made significant contributions to several life-changing therapies for patients with multiple myeloma.
Will West, CEO of CellCentric commented: “Andy brings important and extensive experience to the team at this critical time in the development of inobrodib. We welcome his energy and insights as we continue to move towards our goal of delivering a high impact treatment for cancer that reaches the widest communities.”
Will went on to say: “We would like to extend our thanks to Coulter Partners for their work in identifying and placing such a highly qualified candidate. Their geographic reach and commitment to finding top talent in the industry were instrumental in this successful placement.”
Andy Fergus said: “I have a deep commitment to improving and extending the lives of people with multiple myeloma. I am thrilled for this next step in my career where I can continue to progress advancements of much needed agents with novel mechanisms of action that are also easy-to-administer. Inobrodib has demonstrated very encouraging clinical data to date, and I look forward to being part of the outstanding leadership team at CellCentric to bring this novel treatment to patients in need.”
CellCentric recently secured a $35 million investment from RA Capital Management, which will be used to complete development activities in alignment with FDA requirements, to ensure full readiness for pivotal clinical trials.
—-
Andy Fergus, Chief Development Officer
Andy is a highly experienced drug development leader with more than 20 years’ experience in multiple myeloma. Most recently, he served as Executive Director and Global Project Leader for Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Oncology Therapeutic Area, focused on myeloma. His expertise encompasses strategic planning, risk assessment and mitigation, and life cycle management, all driven by a strong commitment to fostering high-performing teams.
Previously, Andy has held senior roles across biotech, pharma, Clinical Research Organizations (CROs), as well as academia. His career is distinguished by significant contributions to several life-changing therapies for patients with multiple myeloma, including the development of VELCADE® and NINLARO®.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors:
About CellCentric
CellCentric is an innovative UK-based biotechnology company with offices in Cambridge and Manchester. The company was spun out from the University of Cambridge by pioneering developmental biologist Professor Azim Surani FRS, CBE, who wanted to further explore the potential of targeting cell fate control mechanisms. From its origins, CellCentric built a network of research and evaluation relationships with over 25 leading academic research groups worldwide. CellCentric’s research evolved to focus on twin transcription co-activation factors, p300 and CBP, that drive the expression of genes important in cancer progression. The company actively pursued multiple cell fate control-related drug discovery programs before focusing on p300/CBP inhibition and inobrodib.
For more information, visit www.cellcentric.com
About Coulter Partners
We are executive search and leadership development specialists working to build a better future. As advisors and consultants to companies at the cutting edge of Health, Science, and Technology, we are united by our mission to build teams that change the world. Operating uniquely as one global team, we have honed our expertise, platform, and data for over two decades, working across three continents, and in 40 countries. Applying what we learn through our work with boards, leadership teams, and investors in the world’s most innovative companies, we bring together and develop the right people at the right time to propel them to achieve their worthwhile goals.
