Australian biotech Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, a developer of drugs for the treatment of chronic pain, has enhanced its Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) capability as it continues to drive the development of its lead candidate, EMA401, in a number of chronic pain indications.
Peter Spargo has joined the company as Senior Vice President, CMC. He has been involved in pharmaceutical research and development throughout an international career spanning more than 25 years. He has previously acted as an industry consultant, including to Spinifex, and held the role of SVP CMC at Creabilis (Italy and UK) and at Novexel (France). At Novexel he played an important role in the company's US$500m acquisition by AstraZeneca in 2010.
His industry career began at Pfizer (Sandwich, UK) where his final position was as Head of Chemical R&D for Pfizer in Europe. He also led Pfizer Pharmaceutical Sciences development teams, embracing formulation and analytical activities, as well as chairing multi-disciplinary human health development teams and being responsible for the company's Worldwide Pharmaceutical Sciences Veterinary Medicines portfolio.
Christine Richardson has joined Spinifex as Director, CMC and Nonclinical Project Manager. Most recently Richardson was Global Program Operations Manager at Novartis Pharmaceuticals (East Hanover, NJ, US). Her pharmaceutical career began at Novartis in New York and she has held a number of positions with the company in the US and in Europe.
