Former Alchemia CEO joins Ascend as chairman


By Dylan Bushell-Embling
Thursday, 03 October, 2013

Ascend Biopharmaceuticals has appointed former Alchemia (ASX:ACL) chief Dr Peter Smith to be its new chairman.

The company, which is preparing to enter key clinical trials for two immunotherapy cancer treatments, also named chartered accountant Mark Ewing as a non-executive director.

Smith stepped down as CEO and managing director of Alchemia in January.

Before joining Alchemia, he was CEO and managing director of Amrad Corporation - which was acquired by CSL (ASX:CSL) in 2006 - and the founder of cancer immunotherapy biotech Onyvax.

Ewing is a specialist in providing corporate advice to CEOs. He is currently deputy chairman of the  holding company for TEAC Australia and chairman of the advisory board for Pro-Ride Racing.

“Dr Smith has demonstrated his outstanding leadership, commercial and management skills over the course of several decades working across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors,” Ascend CEO Clement Leong said.

“Mr Ewing and Dr Smith both have complementary backgrounds, and both add significant depth and expertise to the board.”

Related News

Common arthritis drug also lowers blood pressure

Scientists have known for a while that methotrexate helps with inflammation, but it may also help...

AI enables precise gene editing

A newly developed tool utilises AI to predict how cells repair their DNA after it is cut by gene...

Shingles vaccine may reduce risk of heart attack and stroke 

Vaccination with either the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine or the live-attenuated zoster...


  • All content Copyright © 2025 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd