BRISTOL, UK: Imophoron Limited, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, next generation nanoparticle products using its ADDomer™ platform, today announced the appointment of Richard Bungay as Chief Executive Officer, to be based at the Company’s Bristol facility.

Richard Bungay succeeds Imophoron’s founding CEO, Fred Garzoni, who becomes Chief Scientific Officer, focused on driving the development of the pipeline and product candidates and expansion of the ADDomer™ platform.

“Richard joins us at a critical stage of Imophoron’s development, as we prepare to rapidly progress our lead vaccine candidate for respiratory syncytial virus through IND-enabling studies to the clinic, and further expand the utility of the novel, thermostable, nanoparticle ADDomer™ platform,” said Damian Marron, Chairman of the Board of Imophoron.

“We believe Richard’s extensive experience across all phases of development of novel products along with his exceptional leadership skills will enable Imophoron to realise the full promise of its ADDomer™ platform.”

Richard was formerly Chief Executive Officer of AIM-listed Diurnal Group plc, where he led the recent sale of the company to Neurocrine Biosciences. Richard has over 25 years’ experience in senior roles in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, including as CFO and COO at Mereo Biopharma and CEO of Chroma Therapeutics.

Richard has been involved in fundraisings totalling over $250 million, along with the negotiation and execution of multiple business development deals. Richard also has extensive experience of taking novel drugs from research through to clinical development and commercialisation and has been involved with the development of six currently marketed drugs, including three novel biological agents. Richard is a Chartered Accountant and has a First Class degree in Chemistry from Nottingham University.

“I have been hugely impressed at the potential of the ADDomer™ platform to deliver a step-change for vaccines, as well as potential for its expansion into other areas,” commented Richard Bungay. “I am delighted to be joining the highly skilled team at Imophoron at this pivotal stage of the Company’s development and to work with Fred as we prepare to progress our pipeline from research into clinical proof-of-concept activities.”

Fred Garzoni, Co-Founder and CSO, commented: “I am excited to welcome Richard to the Company, and I am looking forward to working alongside him as we enter a new phase of the Company’s development. In particular, his experience of financing and business development will be crucial as we seek to build on the excellent achievements of our team.”