Former BioComm VP moves to Select

Dr Anthony Filippis, formerly of BioComm, has joined recently listed Select Vaccines as VP of business development.

Filippis has had extensive experience with business development and licensing, and while at BioComm was responsible for a major agreement between Monash University and UK-based RiboTargets, which gave the British company exclusive rights to a pain compound developed at the University.

One of his first responsibilities at the Burnet Institute spin-off will be to license the new company's point-of-care rapid diagnostic kits for hepatitis A and E.

"He is now working with us to progress negotiations with potential partners with the specific aim of fast-tracking the commercialisation of these technologies. Anthony's strong background in biotechnology and business will be valuable in carrying out his role with Select," said Select Vaccines CEO Dr Martin Soust.

Soust said that Filippis had previously worked with the Burnet Institute and other Australian research institutes, and was well known to the parties with whom Select would be talking.

"His network of contacts in the international biotechnology and medical diagnostics industries will be invaluable in progressing the technology under development in our two project companies, Hepgenics and Picoral, and we look forward to further updating the market on our progress in this area over the coming weeks," said Soust.

Filippis said the position was a good opportunity for him to become involved with listed biotechnology companies.

"What attracted me was working in the listed company side, trying to get some out-licensing and in-licensing deals," he told Australian Biotechnology News.