Hiring Philly pharma talent: Updates

Adaptimmune. Adaptimmune [Navy Yard-based firm developing cell-based immunotherapies for cancer patients] has strong ties to GSK, which is why so many former ex-GSKers comprise their management team - Raffi Amado (CMO), Ad Rawcliffe (CFO).  Adaptimmune is making cell-based immunotherapies for cancer patients.  The Company raised a $104M Series A financing led by New Enterprise Associates and quickly completed an IPO [Nasdaq: ADAP]

Alcobra.  You will note a number of [central nervous system therapy] companies on this list, which is due in part to Shire's move to Lexington, Mass., [leaving] a number of ex-Shire executives who have gone on to lead local CNS companies.  Alcobra is an Israeli company that established its commercial group in Plymouth Meeting to tape ex-Shire talent, including Jonathan Rubin (CMO) and David Baker (COO).

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals [developed voclosporin, for the treatment of Lupus Nephritis]. A Canadian company that is now led by Charlie Rowland, the former CFO of ViroPharma (acquired by Shire).  Charlie is moving the commercial operations to Fort Washington.

Idera Pharmaceuticals [developing a treament for B-cell lymphoma]  Boston company that is now led by the former ViroPharma management team - Vin Milano (CEO), Robert Doody (SVP, IR), Clayton Fletcher (SVP, BD).  Commercial and G&A is in Malvern.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals  [bought its way into Philadelphia when it] acquired Azur Pharma and has doubled-down on Philly with recent $1.5 billion acquisition of Princeton-based Celator Pharmaceuticals [now moving to join Azur at 1818 Market].  Actively hiring 50 people in Philly. Cathy Sohn, former SVP at GSK, is a local Board Member and has been central to Jazz increasing their Philly presence.

Marinus Pharmaceuticals.  Chris Cashman (former CEO of Protez Pharma) moved the company to Radnor from Branford, Conn.  The Company is developing novel therapeutics for epilepsy and depression.

Nabriva   [antibiotics] - Austrian company that established a large Philly presence in King of Prussia.  Company is comprised heavily of former ViroPharma (Colin Broom - CEO, Steve Gelone - CDO, Pete Wolf - GC) and Tengion (Gary Sender - CFO,  Elyse Seltzer - CMO).

Radius Health  [osteoperosis therapy] -- Is hiring 100 workers and actively looking for space in the Radnor area.  Lorraine Fitzpatrick (CMO) and David Snow (CCO) are former GSK and AstraZeneca respectively.

Strongbridge BioPharma  [former Cortendo; rare diseases] -- Located in Trevose. Management team includes former Shire (Matt Pauls - CEO, Rob Lutz - CBO) and Tengion (Brian Davis).

-- Neos Therapeutics: In addition to Lehr's list, S. David Curry, "Head of Insights and Execution" for the Dallas-based attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder therapy developer, writes that Neos "is actively hiring and growing" at its Blue Bell, Pa., office, under COO Thomas McDonnell, another Shire veteran.