Oxford’s SpyBiotech appoints new chief medical officer

SpyBiotech, a biotech developing vaccine platform technology to target infectious diseases, chronic diseases and cancer, has welcomed Dr Prakash Bhuyan as chief medical officer (CMO).

Prakash is an infectious disease specialist with more than 20 years of experience in academia and industry – most recently as CMO at Aerium.

Before Aerium, he served as head of clinical development for vaccines and immune therapies at AstraZeneca.

There, Prakash organised and managing the teams that developed Covid solutions, as well as RSV and influenza-focused products.

He was also previously senior vice president of clinical development at Inovio Pharmaceuticals, overseeing successful trials for a novel HPV therapeutic, and has held vaccines and biologics leadership roles at Pfizer and Merck.

Prakash holds an MD and PhD in immunology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, a specialisation in internal medicine from Emory University, and a sub-specialization in infectious disease from the University of Pennsylvania.

“This is a pivotal time to join the talented team at SpyBiotech,” he said.

“The research collaboration with the University of Oxford, the fundamental progress of the Phase I HCMV vaccine trial, and the growth of the company have positioned SpyBiotech to take on the most challenging unmet medical needs.”

CEO Mark Leuchtenberger added: “We’re delighted to welcome Prakash to the SpyBiotech team.

“He brings an incredible depth of expertise in infectious diseases to our leadership team, and his success in helping to bring multiple products to market will serve SpyBiotech well as we move further into the clinic.”