Hepatitis C

None  Welcome to this week's Chutes & Ladders, our roundup of hirings, firings and retirings throughout the industry. Please send the good word—or the bad—from your shop to Max Bayer or Gabrielle Masson, and we will feature it here at the end of each week. Voyager returns to Biogen’s orbit, plucking another executive Voyager Therapeutics You can always count on Al Sandrock to have his finger on the pulse of Biogen. The 21-year vet of the neuroscience pharma has returned (metaphorically speaking) to his old haunting grounds, leaving with fresh talent. Voyager announced it was hiring Toby Ferguson, M.D., as its chief medical officer, effective March 25. Ferguson was most recently vice president and head of neuromuscular development at Biogen, where he joined in 2013. He started as a medical director and advanced to executive medical director, before taking his current position.  His claim to fame was leading the team that produced SOD1 ALS med Qalsody, which received FDA accelerated approval based on the reduction of a disease biomarker. In light of Amylyx’s recent late-stage failure, Qalsody is arguably the most significant ALS treatment advancement in recent years. Voyager is currently working on a SOD1 gene therapy that’s entering IND-enabling studies.  Before joining Biogen, Ferguson was an assistant professor of neurology at Temple University in Philadelphia. Release Pfizer names new CSO for anti-infectives research unit  Pfizer  Despite Pfizer making its oncology ambitions clear, the New York pharma does in fact have additional assets elsewhere, including anti-infectives. Much of that work centers on COVID treatment Paxlovid, with additional candidates aimed at RSV infection and complicated urinary tract infections.  Now, the company is bolstering that team, hiring Isabel Najera, Ph.D., as chief scientific officer of the anti-infective research unit. She previously was the head of research for infectious disease at Janssen, before the pharma dismantled and divested from the work altogether.  Najera cut her teeth at Roche, where she spent a total of 19 years across a number of different positions. She started in 1999 as a research scientist working on hepatitis C virology and spent the last four years there as the deputy head of discovery and head of clinical microbiology for inflammation, immunology and infectious diseases. Rigel hires ex-Sangamo CMO for the same role  Rigel Pharmaceuticals Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., is joining Rigel as executive vice president and chief medical officer, the biotech announced this week. She joins from Sangamo where she held the same role. Rojkjaer at Sangamo for less than a year, from May 2023 to March 2024. She spent more than six-and-a-half years at two prior CMO gigs, with Viracta Therapeutics and Nordic Nanovector, respectively. She’s also spent more than six years across two stints at Novartis. Release > FibroGen has tapped Deyaa Adib, M.D., to serve as the oncology company’s SVP and chief medical officer. Before joining FibroGen, Adib was Triumvira Immunologics’ CMO and previously held roles at Rain Therapeutics, Blueprint Medicines, Baxalta, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Aventis, Sanofi and Astellas Pharma. Release > Jullian Jones, Ph.D., has joined MOMA Therapeutics to serve as the platform company’s chief business officer. Jones comes from Monte Rosa Therapeutics, where she also held the CBO title and oversaw the biotech’s recent partnership with Roche Pharmaceuticals. Release > Capsida Biotherapeutics has promoted Rob Murphy from his role as VP of technical operations to chief manufacturing and quality officer. Murphy joined the biotech in 2020 and helped design, build and staff Capsida’s state-of-the-art gene therapy manufacturing site. Release > Apellis Pharmaceuticals is appointing Philip Ferrone, M.D., to serve as the company’s chief medical retina adviser, effective March 18. Ferrone currently is, and will continue to be, the director of clinical research at Vitreoretinal Consultants in New York. Release > Tim Clackson, Ph.D., is taking the top spot at IDRx, replacing founding CEO and co-founder Ben Auspitz, while Brad Dahms will step on as chief financial officer and chief business officer. Clackson and Dahms both join IDRx from Theseus Pharmaceuticals, where they served as CEO and CFO, respectively. Release > GSK’s head of biologics and devices manufacturing Bill Dawson has been appointed the new chair of the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership, an organization representing medicines manufacturers in the U.K. Dawson has been with GSK for nearly 8 years, and worked at Novartis before that, according to his LinkedIn. Release > Corinne Le Goff has resigned from her position as IMUNON’s president and CEO, exiting to pursue another business opportunity. Executive Chair Michael Tardugno, who served as CEO before Le Goff, will assume daily leadership responsibilities until a successor is selected. Release > VC 4BIO Capital has promoted Natalie Johnston, Ph.D., to principal, while appointing Abbas Hussain and Leszek Lisowski, Ph.D., to its advisory board. Previously, Johnston served as an investment associate for 4BIO, while Hussain most recently worked at Vifor Pharma and Lisowski helped establish two gene therapy companies: Exigen Biotherapeutics and Sendatu Therapeutics. Release > Y-mAbs Therapeutics EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer Bo Kruse is resigning, effective as of the day a successor is appointed or July 31, 2024. Kruse has been with the company for nearly nine years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Release > Endeavor BioMedicines is bringing on two new leaders, appointing Enoch Kariuki as president and Vishaal Turakhia as chief financial officer. Kariuki most recently served as CEO of Lengo Therapeutics (acquired by Blueprint Medicines), while Turakhia was previously managing director at Piper Sandler’s healthcare investment banking group. Release > Joseph Bertelsen is joining U.K.-based biotech Nuclera as chief commercial officer. He previously worked at the Institute for Protein Innovation, a research site in Massachusetts, where he was the director of commercialization. Release

The clinical laboratory real-time PCR multiplex test was designed using Co-Dx Co-Primers™ and licensed by the CDSCO for use in diagnostic procedures SALT LAKE CITY, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CODX) (the "Company" or "Co-Dx"), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, announced today that CoSara Diagnostics Pvt Ltd ("CoSara," or the "JV"), its joint venture for manufacturing and sales in India, has received clearance by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization ("CDSCO") in India to manufacture and sell its SARAPLEX™ Influenza Multiplex (IFM) Test Kit to clinical laboratories as an in vitro diagnostic ("IVD") for the detection and differentiation of Influenza A and Influenza B. CoSara's new real-time multiplex PCR test is built on the Company's patented Co-Primers™ technology and designed to simultaneously detect influenza A (H1N1, H3N2, H7N9, H1N2, H5N1, H2N2, H9N2, H10N8, H5N6, H7N7, H7N4, H7N2 and H2N1), influenza B (Yamagata and Victoria strains) and to differentiate between H1N1 and H3N2. Co-Primers utilize a unique design architecture to combat common issues with real-time PCR that can lead to inaccurate results, specifically primer dimer propagation, and which are magnified in multiplex reactions. "The importance of accurate, reliable PCR testing at the high-throughput clinical laboratory level remains critical," remarked Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics. "We are pleased that our Co-Primers technology will help to combat respiratory illnesses in India as the world continues to adjust in the wake of the pandemic, and while we work with CoSara in preparation for playing an important role in the next stage of our Company's growth with the upcoming launch of our Co-Dx™ PCR Pro™ instrument*." CoSara Director Mohal Sarabhai commented, "This test marks the 15th of CoSara's clinical lab tests to receive IVD clearance by the CDSCO, and adds to our expanding menu of valuable diagnostic tools available to our growing distributor and laboratory customer base. It strengthens our foundation for future growth as CoSara also assists in the progress of point-of-care testing across India, and prepares to provide manufacturing, distribution, and regulatory support for the forthcoming Co-Dx PCR platform." CoSara has previously received CDSCO clearance for RT-PCR tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B, hepatitis B viral load, hepatitis C, hepatitis C viral load, HPV types 16 and 18 and HPV-HR, two COVID-19 assays, chikungunya, dengue, a dengue/chikungunya duplex test, and a Flu A/Flu B/COVID-19 ("ABC") multiplex test, all designed using the Company's patented Co-Primers technology and cleared to be manufactured and sold to clinical laboratories in the Indian market as IVDs. *The Co-Dx PCR platform (including the PCR Home™, PCR Pro™, mobile app, and all associated tests) is subject to review by the FDA and/or other regulatory bodies and is not yet available for sale. The Co-Dx PCR Pro instrument and Co-Dx COVID-19 Test are currently under review by the FDA. About Co-Diagnostics, Inc.: Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah corporation, is a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art diagnostics technologies. The Company's technologies are utilized for tests that are designed using the detection and/or analysis of nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA). The Company also uses its proprietary technology to design specific tests for its Co-Dx PCR at-home and point-of-care platform and to locate genetic markers for use in applications other than infectious disease. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "may," "plans," "will" and similar expressions, or the negative of these words. Such forward-looking statements are based on facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made and predictions as to future facts and conditions. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that any of the anticipated results will occur on a timely basis or at all due to certain risks and uncertainties, a discussion of which can be found in our Risk Factors disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 16, 2023, and in our other filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement relating to matters discussed in this press release, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Co-Diagnostics

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Care Resource has launched a new mobile health unit, made possible by a generous $50,000 donation from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Their financial contribution was further matched by a Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) H8F grant to complete the purchase and customization of the unit. This mobile health unit marks a significant advancement in the health center's mission to expand access to services in under-resourced communities throughout South Florida. Continue Reading Care Resource hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new mobile health unit. Advance Auto Parts Foundation presented with Community Appreciation Award. "Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life, which is why community health is a key pillar for our Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Together, with Care Resource, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing the vital healthcare they deserve," said Elisabeth Eisleben, President, Advance Auto Parts Foundation. There are one-hundred and twenty-three census tracts in Broward County that are designated as medically underserved. By traveling throughout these regions, Care Resource aims to improve the health of under-resourced residents. The mobile health program eliminates barriers to healthcare such as geography, transportation, mobility, language, and lack of insurance. The health center is committed to providing essential health care regardless of age, gender, immigration status, religious beliefs, insurance, and financial status. "With our new mobile health unit, we can now reach at least 2,000 more people annually in underserved areas of Broward County. Many individuals remain unaware of their health status regarding HIV, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C, or cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, access to immunization and health education is limited. This contribution will help bridge these gaps and create a healthier, more informed community," said Ron Ledain, Director of Marketing, Health Promotion, and Linkage at Care Resource. In appreciation of their financial support, Care Resource presented the Advance Auto Parts Foundation with their Community Appreciation Award and recognized them as a new member of the health center's Keystone Society. By expanding health care services through mobile health units, Care Resource can further provide communities with the right care, at the right time, in the right place. About Care Resource: Care Resource is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The health center provides comprehensive health and support services to address the full healthcare needs of South Florida's pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. About Advance Auto Parts Foundation: Advance Auto Parts Foundation is the charitable arm of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Its primary areas of funding are community health, veterans' needs and career training programs at community colleges. SOURCE Care Resource