Chemomab Therapeutics, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CMMB) (Chemomab), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for fibrotic and inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, today announced the addition of Ilan Vaknin, PhD, MBA, as Vice President of Research & Development and Christina Crater, MD, as Vice President of Clinical Development.
“Chemomab is distinguished by the strength of its science, and we are fortunate these two premiere scientific and medical professionals are assuming critical roles as we progress the development of CM-101, our pipeline in a product with breakthrough potential,” said Dale Pfost, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Chemomab. “We are preparing to report topline results from our Phase 2 trial in liver fibrosis patients later this year, we are expanding our Phase 2 trial of CM-101 in primary sclerosing cholangitis, we will soon be launching a Phase 2 biological proof of concept trial in systemic sclerosis, and we are assessing potential new indications for CM-101 in other fibro-inflammatory disorders. Dr. Vaknin’s more than 20 years of broad-ranging experience in immunology, bioassay development, and antibody R&D and manufacturing will be invaluable as we work to accelerate advancement of our pipeline programs.”
Dr. Vaknin brings Chemomab more than two decades of biotechnology drug discovery and development experience in immunology, antibody development, translational research and bioassay development, including more than a decade in senior science roles at Compugen, Ltd. He most recently served as Director of Preclinical Bioassays, where he oversaw preclinical bioassay development and related activities, while working with computational and validation teams to support discovery of novel drug targets and biomarkers. Prior to Compugen, Dr. Vaknin served as Chief Technology Officer at Active P, where he led the development of orally available therapeutic peptides. Earlier in his career, he served as External Scientific Consultant for the Department of Neurobiology at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Vaknin holds a PhD in immunology and a BA in life sciences from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he also received an MBA in finance.
Dr. Pfost continued, “Dr. Crater’s extensive background in medical affairs and clinical trial design and execution across a broad range of therapeutic indications will be instrumental as we ramp up our clinical activities. She has highly relevant experience leading clinical research programs in immuno-inflammation and orphan diseases. Her decade as a front-line physician gives her a first-hand appreciation for the essential roles of patients and physicians in the successful development of new therapies. I am delighted to welcome Ilan and Chris to the Chemomab senior team at this exciting time in our evolution.”
Dr. Crater has served as a medical monitor, safety physician, therapeutic expert and study director in all phases of clinical development, including extensive experience in data quality and safety monitoring. Her career spans working in-house at pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, as well as at major clinical research organizations (CROs). Previously Dr. Crater served as Senior Clinical Trial Physician at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she was responsible for the review and interpretation of clinical data while contributing to strategic decisions on clinical study design and asset advancement. Dr. Crater also served in senior clinical development roles with PRA Health Sciences and PAREXEL International. Earlier in her career, Dr. Crater worked as an internal medicine physician. She received an MD degree from the University of Tennessee and holds a BS from Rhodes College. Dr. Crater is board certified in Internal Medicine.
