WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Uvax Bio LLC, a vaccine biotechnology company based on the single-component self-assembling protein nanoparticle (1c-SApNP®) vaccine design and manufacturing platform invented by Associate Professor Jiang Zhu, PhD, of Scripps Research (La Jolla, CA) today announced that Cheryl Keech, MD, Ph.D., has joined the company as a consultant and Acting Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Keech will lead medical, clinical and regulatory functions in support of the company’s Uvax-2129 recombinant protein nanoparticle vaccine for COVID-19, and will also guide development of the multiple development stage vaccines in the company’s pipeline. She will also retain her consulting positions with several other life sciences companies.
"We are pleased to have Cheryl join our leadership team as we continue to optimize our commercial and business strategies and to progress our promising pipeline of vaccines positioned to address major areas of unmet need in global health. Her depth of experience in strategic clinical vaccine development will be especially valuable during this pivotal time at the company." said Ji Li, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Uvax Bio.
Dr. Keech brings to Uvax Bio two decades of life sciences experience in clinical vaccine development, medical affairs and medical/commercial strategy, including multiple product launches. Most recently, she served as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President at iLiAD Biotechnologies, where she was responsible for the clinical development and execution of BPZE1- a next generation live attenuated pertussis vaccine that is delivered via nasal immunization. Dr. Keech also served as the Senior Vice President and Acting Chief Medical Officer for Novavax, initiating the SARS-CoV2 and overseeing the phase 3 Influenza vaccine programs. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Medical Director, Global Product Development and Therapeutic Area Head at PPD, and held positions with PATH, GlaxoSmithKline, and Eli Lilly.
Dr. Keech earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine (internal medicine, board certified) and held a clinical appointment at IU. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus, and her master’s degree in reproductive physiology from Texas A&M University.
"I am excited to be joining Uvax Bio and look forward to working with the rest of the management team here in advancing the company's multiple vaccine programs through the clinical development process" said Dr. Keech. "I believe that Uvax Bio’s unique vaccine platform has the potential to combat multiple unmet medical needs and serve the global community."
ABOUT UVAX BIO LLC
Uvax Bio is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of protein nanoparticle vaccines for infectious diseases. For more information visit www.uvaxbio.com.
