London-headquartered RNA therapeutics specialist Silence Therapeutics has appointed Dr Dmitry Samarsky as its new chief scientific officer, to take effect on 14 September.
Dr Samarsky joins the company from OliX Pharmaceuticals, where he served as senior vice president of technology and global business development.
Prior to this, he held the same title at RiboBio, an oligonucleotide-focused biotech based in China, between 2011 and 2015, and served as vice president of technology development at RXi Pharmaceuticals and director of technology development at Dharmacon.
Ali Mortazavi, chief executive officer of Silence Therapeutics, said: “We have undertaken an extensive search to find a CSO with experience in RNA therapeutics and are pleased to have recruited Dmitry, who brings a combination of deep technical expertise and commercial knowledge to Silence.
“Dmitry will be key in leading our efforts as we increase our liver focus and research and development in conjugated siRNAs. I look forward to working closely with him.”
Meanwhile, Silence Therapeutics has also appointed Dr Andy Richards as non-executive director and a member of the board with immediate effect.
Dr Richards currently chairs several UK biotechs, including Abcodia, Babraham Bioscience Technologies, Congenica and IXICO.
He previously held positions at AstraZeneca and PA Technology, and has contributed to the founding of Vectura, Arakis and Chiroscience Group.
Dr Stephen Parker, chairman of Silence Therapeutics, said: “We are delighted to have attracted Andy Richards, a recognised leader in the UK biotechnology sector, to join the board of Silence.
“We look forward to the benefit of his considerable experience in the commercial aspects of the sector as well as his overall guidance.”