Avillion Appoints Dr Allison Jeynes-Ellis as Chief Executive Officer

LONDON, February 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Avillion LLP, a drug development company focused on co-development and financing of late-stage pharmaceutical candidates, from Phase 3 clinical development to marketing approval, announced it has appointed Dr Allison Jeynes-Ellis MB, ChB, FFPM as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  Dr Jeynes-Ellis has over 20 years of senior leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry.  She has managed both large and small teams focusing on global clinical development projects that have led to new drug approvals in Europe and the USA, across a range of therapeutic areas. Dr Jeynes-Ellis is a founding member of Avillion's management team and was formerly the company's Chief Medical Officer.

During her career, Dr Jeynes-Ellis has worked in senior roles in pharmaceutical companies, including Wyeth, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Novartis; and as an independent consultant to many companies, including CAT and Genentech, government bodies and medical research charities.  She was previously Medical Director at Wyeth (UK and Ireland), where she led a large team spanning various clinical development, regulatory affairs and commercial functions. Dr Jeynes-Ellis was also Medical & Innovation Director at the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). She is a currently a non-executive director of the Health Research Authority and BioCity, Scotland.

Dr Allison Jeynes-Ellis said: "I am excited to accept this opportunity at Avillion. We are aiming to be a key partner to companies with promising late-stage clinical assets, which for reasons of funding or resource constraints are not being advanced as quickly as they could be. We offer these companies an innovative solution to accelerate the development of these product candidates through Phase 3 clinical development to marketing approval, for the ultimate benefit of patients."

Genghis Lloyd-Harris, a non-executive director of Avillion and a partner at Abingworth, said: "We are delighted that Allison has accepted the role of CEO. She has clearly demonstrated a range of skills that is well suited to driving the innovative clinical development model that Avillion operates."

Kurt Wheeler, a non-executive director of Avillion and a managing director at Clarus Ventures, added: "Allison was instrumental in Avillion signing its first collaborative development agreement with Pfizer, to conduct a global Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating BOSULIF® (bosutinib) as a first-line treatment in chronic myelogenous leukemia. We are confident that, under Allison's leadership, this agreement will be the first of several that Avillion signs over the coming years."

In taking this new role as CEO, Dr Jeynes-Ellis replaces Lewis Cameron who has left the Company to pursue other opportunities. The Board of Avillion thanks Mr Cameron for his contribution to the Company.

A photograph of Dr Jeynes-Ellis is available by contacting tasha@avillionllp.com or mark.swallow@citigatedr.co.uk

Note to editors

About Avillion

Avillion's mission is to have an impact on patient care by accelerating the availability of new and innovative drugs into the world's major markets. To achieve this, the Company provides strategic development and regulatory expertise, funding, global CRO management and risk-sharing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance late-stage clinical development projects through to market approval.

Avillion was founded in 2012 in London, UK, and is backed by leading life sciences investors, Abingworth and Clarus Ventures.

Website: http://www.avillionllp.com