SynAct Pharma AB (“SynAct”) today announced the appointment of James Knight as Chief Business Officer (CBO). He will head up business development and pipeline portfolio management and has more than 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Mr. Knight brings highly relevant experience and skills to the SynAct team as it advances its lead selective melanocortin asset AP1189 through Phase 2a clinical proof of concept trials.
James was formally the VP of Portfolio Strategy at Questcor Pharmaceuticals where he was responsible for leading the expansion of Acthar Gel from two promoted indications in two specialty audiences to nine promoted indications in five specialty areas including rheumatology. Questcor’s success in expanding Acthar use led to its acquisition by Mallinckrodt for $5.6 billion.
“Ensuring we have the right team in place is critical to reaching our value creation in the focus on the most valuable programs in the pipeline and business development. Adding Jim’s deep knowledge of melanocortin biology and its commercial application across a wide range of specialty conditions along with his proven skills within both partnering and M&A transactions for melanocortin assets will be important for SynAct reaching its ambitious goals going forward,” said Jeppe Øvlesen, CEO of SynAct.
James is also serving as the CBO of TXP Pharma, an early-stage Swiss biotech company that is developing locally administered, injectable melanocortin agonists. Most recently James was the Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Development of California-based BioTime, Inc. where he drove R&D rationalization and corporate development efforts that culminated with the acquisition of Asterias Biotherapeutics and the repositioning of BioTime as a cellular therapeutics company.
“I am excited to join the SynAct team and contribute to the advancement of AP1189,” said Mr. Knight. “My experience with Acthar demonstrated the potential of melanocortin agonists across a broad range of therapeutic areas, particularly for an oral agent like AP1189 that does not have the steroid release and related side effect issues associated with Acthar. As we learn more about the melanocortin system’s ability to resolve dysfunctional and dysregulated inflammation, we can unlock the true utility of this under-developed mechanism.”
James has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master of Business Administration in High Technology from Northeastern University in Boston. He will report directly to CEO Jeppe Øvlesen.
The information was submitted, through the agency of the contact person below, for publication on February 11, 2021.
For further information about SynAct Pharma AB, please contact:
Jeppe Øvlesen Thomas Jonassen
CEO, SynAct Pharma AB CSO, SynAct Pharma AB
Phone: +45 28 44 75 67 Phone: +45 40 15 66 69
Mail: [email protected] Mail: [email protected]