Zelda Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD) has appointed Dr Richard Hopkins as its managing director commencing 1 July 2018.
Hopkins is an experienced biopharmaceutical executive with over 11 years in corporate leadership roles with public biotechnology companies.
Dr Stewart Washer will step back from his executive position but positively will revert to a non-executive director and remain with the company.
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Zelda’s executive chairman Harry Karelis said: “We have achieved much since our inception in 2015 and have developed deep relationships across the globe and created significant value for our shareholders.
“As the company prepares for its next phase of growth we are very pleased to have been able to attract someone of the calibre of Richard to join the team in a leadership position.
“We are in very capable hands and we will be working closely together to build on our success to date.
“Furthermore, the options incentive package recognises the importance of aligning the interests of management with those of shareholders.”
During Dr Hopkins’ career he has managed and overseen several strategic alliance and licensing deals with multiple global pharmaceutical partners.
He holds a PhD in molecular biology, is an author on over 25 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on 17 patents and patent applications.
Most recently, he was the CEO of biotech PharmAust Ltd (ASX:PAA) and he currently serves as chair of the Western Australian Ausbiotech Committee.