Dr. Madiha Derouazi becomes AC Immune’s CSO
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Dr. Madiha Derouazi is the founder of the Swiss biotech AMAL Therapeutics and the former CEO of German-based company Speransa Therapeutics. She is an internationally well-known and recognised immunologist, entrepreneur, and vaccine developer. Her experience will help AC Immune become a global leader in precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
AC Immune SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the appointment, as of January 1st, 2024, of Dr. Madiha Derouazi as Chief Scientific Officer and the promotion of Interim Chief Financial Officer Christopher Roberts to Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Derouazi succeeds the former CSO, Dr. Marie Kosco-Vilbois, who is retiring and will remain with AC Immune as an expert consultant in immunology to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.
Dr. Madiha Derouazi, an accomplished immunologist, joins from Speransa Therapeutics where she had been CEO since inception in 2021, leading development of a novel platform of prophylactic vaccines. Previously, she founded AMAL Therapeutics in 2012, an immuno-oncology company developing a new generation of therapeutic cancer vaccines, and served as CEO and CSO of the company until 2022. Dr. Derouazi led AMAL’s acquisition by Boehringer Ingelheim for EUR 425 million in 2019. She holds a PhD in Cellular Biotechnology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne which was followed by postdoctoral work concentrating on tumor immunology and vaccine development.
Christopher Roberts joined AC Immune in 2019 and has served as Vice President, Finance and Interim CFO of AC Immune since 2022. He has extensive experience of SEC reporting, initial and follow-on public offerings and financial controls. He is a UK Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Auditing and Finance from Lancaster University.
Dr. Andrea Pfeifer, CEO of AC Immune SA, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Madiha Derouazi as our new CSO and to confirm Chris as CFO. Madiha has an outstanding international track record as an immunologist, entrepreneur, and vaccine developer. Her expertise in vaccines will be invaluable to AC Immune as we continue to transform our company into a global leader in precision medicine to diagnose, treat and prevent neurodegenerative diseases with active immunotherapies and other therapeutic modalities.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank Marie for her dedicated service to AC Immune. Her experience has proven instrumental for optimizing our SupraAntigen vaccine technology platform as we have expanded and developed our broad pipeline. We wish her all the best for the future.”
Source: AC Immune press release