Board of Directors
Dr John Climax is the co-founder of Afimmune, a biotech specialising in rare diseases where he is the CEO, and DS Biopharma, a dermatology and oncology biotech where he is Executive Chairman. He is also co-founder of the world leading Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), ICON plc in 1990. He was the previous Chairman and CEO and current non-executive Director of ICON plc.
He is a founding member of Science Gallery International and Human Dignity Foundation. He is also affiliated with the boards of a number of private companies, Universities and foundations.
Dr Climax received his primary degree in Pharmacy from the University of Singapore, his Masters in Applied Pharmacology from the University of Wales and his Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Ireland. He was also awarded a Doctorate in Science by Trinity College Dublin.
He is Adjunct Professor of Pharmaceutics at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Honorary Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at National University of Singapore. He is also an honorary fellow of St Hilda’s, University of Oxford.
Dr. Lambe is co-founder of Afimmune, a biotech specialising in rare diseases and DS Biopharma, a dermatology and oncology biotech company. Dr. Lambe is also a co-founder of ICON plc, one of the world’s largest contract clinical research organizations where he served as Executive Chairman. Previous to this, Dr. Lambe held the position of Chief Scientist and Head of European Clinical Research at the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology (ICP). He has over 35 years experience in the contract research industry.
Dr. Lambe attended the National University of Ireland where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, his masters in biochemistry and his PhD. in pharmacology.
As the primary donor Dr. Lambe was instrumental in setting up the Lambe Institute for Translational Research at the National University of Ireland (Galway) in 2015.
Professor Brendan Buckley co-founded Open Orphan plc, a pharma services company focused on rare disease which he took public in 2019 whilst Chairman. He was also a co-founder of Minerva Medical Ltd, acquired by Quintiles and Firecrest Clinical Ltd, acquired by ICON plc where he held the position of Chief Medical Officer.
Professor Buckley was previously a Board member of the Health Products Regulatory Authority in Ireland and is currently non-executive director of a number of companies including Afimmune, DS Biopharma, Open Orphan and Imutex. Professor Buckley is presently serving as Chief Medical Officer of Teckro Ltd.
A medical graduate of University College Cork and a doctoral graduate in Biochemistry in the Faculty of Medicine at Oxford University, he worked for over 40 years in clinical practice as a Physician in endocrinology, diabetes and in academic clinical pharmacology. He is Honorary Clinical Professor at University College Cork and Adjunct Professor at University College Dublin in the respective medical faculties. He has published over 200 scientific papers, mainly on metabolic disease, as well as the recent key opinion-leading book ‘Re-Engineering Clinical Trials’.
Alan Cooke serves as a non-executive director of Afimmune and DS Biopharma. He is Chief Executive Officer, President and member of the Board of Directors of Sebela, a commercial pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, gastroenterology and women’s health products.
Prior to Sebela, Alan held a number of executive-level positions in healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, including Chief Financial Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of Trulife Group; Chief Financial Officer and subsequently President and Chief Operating Officer of Amarin Corporation, plc; and Vice President, global strategic planning of Elan Corporation, plc.
Alan also served as Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin. Alan is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ireland), having qualified with KPMG.
Jane is the founding Managing Partner of Militia Hill Ventures (MHV), a US based organization that creates, builds and invests in life sciences companies. While at MHV, Jane has co-founded and currently serves as Executive Chair of Eliksa Therapeutics, a regenerative medicine company, co-founded and served as Executive Chair of Spirovant Sciences, a gene therapy company sold to Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, and served as Executive Chair and CEO of Immunome Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNM), a cancer immunotherapy company.
Prior to MHV, Jane was co-founder and CEO of NuPathe Inc. (NASDAQ: PATH), a neuroscience focused biopharmaceutical company which was sold to Teva. She also co-founded and served as EVP of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AUXL), an urology and rare disease focused biopharmaceutical company which was sold to Endo Pharmaceuticals.
Prior to founding and leading multiple biopharmaceutical companies, Ms. Hollingsworth was VP, Secretary & General Counsel of IBAH, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBAH), a multinational clinical research organization. Before joining IBAH, Jane practiced law at the Philadelphia law firm of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads and served as law clerk to the Honorable Jane R. Roth of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Mr. Zambeletti is a highly respected figure within the life sciences sector. During a 19 year career as an investment banker, he led the European Healthcare Investment team at JP Morgan for eight years before taking up the same position at Credit Suisse for a further five years.
Since 2013 Mr Zambeletti has been an independent strategic advisor to life science companies on Merger and Acquisitions, out-licensing deals and financing strategy. He is a Non-Executive Director of Nogra Pharma, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Faron Pharmaceuticals, Summit Therapeutics plc. and an advisor and co-founder to the US medtech company Qardio.
He serves as a trustee to Barts and the London Charity, which helps to fund the hospitals of the Barts NHS Trust including St. Bartholomew, the Royal London and the London Chest Hospitals, and he is a founder of the cultural initiative 5×15 Italy. Mr Zambeletti started his career at KPMG as an accountant.
Leadership
Dr John Climax is the co-founder of Afimmune, a biotech specialising in rare diseases where he is the CEO, and DS Biopharma, a dermatology and oncology biotech where he is Executive Chairman. He is also co-founder of the world leading Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), ICON plc in 1990. He was the previous Chairman and CEO and current non-executive Director of ICON plc.
He is a founding member of Science Gallery International and Human Dignity Foundation. He is also affiliated with the boards of a number of private companies, Universities and foundations.
Dr Climax received his primary degree in Pharmacy from the University of Singapore, his Masters in Applied Pharmacology from the University of Wales and his Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Ireland. He was also awarded a Doctorate in Science by Trinity College Dublin.
He is Adjunct Professor of Pharmaceutics at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Honorary Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at National University of Singapore. He is also an honorary fellow of St Hilda’s, University of Oxford.
Mark heads up the finance function in Afimmune bringing a wealth of experience launching new products and company financing.
In addition to being Chief Financial Officer of Afimmune, Mark is Chief Executive Officer of related company, DS Biopharma where he previously represented DS as a Director on the Board of Nuvothera Inc., a commercial dermatology company based in the United States.
Mark is co-founder of HAON Life Sciences, developing a novel cell therapy for newborn brain injury. He was also previously Chairman of the Human Dignity Foundation Audit and Investment Committee, a charitable foundation aiming to protect children and women rights where he volunteered for over ten years.
Mark is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ireland), having qualified in Deloitte. A Commerce graduate from University College Dublin, he also holds a Masters of Accounting from the Smurfit School of Business and a Diploma in Corporate Finance from the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Dr. Moayed Hamza is a physician with broad clinical and translational research and therapeutic experience. Moayed contributes to all aspects of clinical strategy, research and development. He leads the design and implementation of clinical trials. Prior to joining Afimmune, Moayed conceived and led several large health system improvement initiatives.
Moayed is co-founder of HAON Life Sciences, developing a novel cell therapy for newborn brain injury.
Moayed is a medical graduate and holds a MB BCh BAO degree from the National University of Ireland Galway. He has authored numerous research papers and presented extensively at international conferences. He is a named inventor on a number of patents.
Dr Markus Weissbach has more than 25 years working experience in the international pharmaceutical, biotech and CRO industry. His previous appointments include Chief Medical Officer Europe at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics; Executive Chairman, CEO and President of Averion International Corp; President of ICON Clinical Research Plc., Europe; Director Clinical Research and Development at Takeda Euro R&D and International Medical Director at Knoll AG.
Dr. Weissbach has served as advisory/supervisory board member for companies such as CytoTools Biotech AG, Vasopharm, Cardiorentis, BernaBiotech, Sunesis, Merck KGaA, and Otsuka. He has been instrumental in the successful NDAs and market launch of several NCEs and biologics in different indications.
Dr. Weissbach is very well connected to academia & KOLs in different therapeutic areas such as, cardiology, vaccines, oncology, CNS, infectious and autoimmune diseases and has profound experience in dealing and negotiating with regulatory authorities in Europe and the USA.
Dr. David Coughlan has over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical research and development sector and heads up cross functional development operations in Afimmune. He has a wealth of experience in establishing, strategically directing and operationally managing international drug and clinical development programs with both biotech and multinational pharma companies from start-up to successful market launch.
Dr. Coughlan joined Afimmune from Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc where he held a number of senior technical and management positions in commercialising global development programs. He began his career with Élan Corporation plc.
Dr. Coughlan holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacy and PhD from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, as well as holding Postgraduate Diplomas in Quality Improvement and Financial Management. He is a registered pharmacist and has authored numerous research papers and abstracts within the pharmaceutical field. He is a named inventor on a number of patents.
Mr Tien Nghiem has over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical sector. He has held senior technical and management positions at multinational pharma companies and start-ups. Prior to joining Afimmune/DS Biopharma, Tien served as Head of Operations and IP at another Irish pharmaceutical company, managing complex drug development and exclusivity programmes. Tien is a named inventor for a number of novel pharmaceutical compositions and drug delivery technologies.
A qualified pharmacist, Tien also holds a Masters’ degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from Trinity College Dublin, a Diploma in Quality Systems from NUI Galway, a Masters’ in Business Management from Dublin City University and earned his Diploma in Technology Law at the Law Society of Ireland.
Ms. Kirsty Kelly is Director of Clinical Operations at Afimmune and has over 10 years’ clinical research experience. Prior to joining Afimmune, Kirsty worked in ICON plc as a senior clinical monitor across many therapeutic areas. Kirsty leads the trial management team at Afimmune.
Kirsty holds a B.A.(Mod) in Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin, a M.Sc. in Management from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ireland, as well as holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research.
Linda Connolly is Director of Regulatory Affairs at Afimmune leading all global regulatory operations in the company. Linda has successfully led Scientific Advice Meetings, Orphan Drug Designations, Fast Track Designations, Paediatric Investigation/Study Plans, and numerous CTA/IND submissions for new drug molecules in both US and Europe.
Prior to joining Afimmune, Linda worked as a pharmacist.
Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, as well as holding a Specialist Diploma in Regulatory Affairs (Bio)Pharmaceuticals from the University of Limerick. Linda is a registered pharmacist (MPSI) and a registered member of The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (MTOPRA).