Avacta Group plc, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing cancer therapies and diagnostics based on its Affimer® and pre|CISION™ platforms, has appointed Dr. Fiona McLaughlin as Chief Scientific Officer of its Therapeutics Division.
 
Dr. McLaughlin is a highly experienced oncology drug developer, bringing over 25 years of experience in research and translational drug development in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, having led teams from early research through to clinical development. Fiona began her career at GlaxoSmithKline and has subsequently held leadership positions in multiple biotech companies including Vice President, Translational Research at Antisoma plc and Director of Pre-clinical Development at BTG plc (now part of Boston Scientific).
 
Most recently, she served as Vice President of New Opportunities at Algeta ASA (acquired by Bayer), a Norwegian biotech developing alpha radio-pharmaceuticals, that gained FDA approval of Xofigo to treat castration resistant prostate cancer.
 
Dr. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Avacta Group, said, “We are delighted to have Fiona McLaughlin join us as Chief Scientific Officer of our Therapeutics Division. Fiona is a seasoned drug developer with an outstanding track record in developing oncology drug candidates and taking them into clinical development. She brings a huge amount of experience, deep insight and strong leadership that will be major assets to Avacta in driving forward both the Affimer® and pre|CISION™ clinical and preclinical pipelines and I look forward working with her.”