Bone Therapeutics Appoints New Chairman

Bone Therapeutics, the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopedics and bone diseases, announced that Jean Stéphenne has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors with immediate effect, replacing Steve Swinson who has informed the Board of his intention to step down.
 
Jean Stéphenne is a highly-experienced life sciences executive, who has served in senior leadership roles at a large number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, most recently as Chairman of TiGenix. Together with the Board of TiGenix, he oversaw the clinical development and market approval of its most advanced allogeneic cell therapy product for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease, resulting in Takeda’s announced intention to acquire the company for EUR 520 million.
 
Jean Stéphenne was also previously a Member of the Corporate Executive Team of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and chief executive of GSK Biologicals (now GSK Vaccines). During his 40-year tenure, he grew a company of 50 people into a fully integrated worldwide leader in vaccine development, with 12,000 employees.
 
Jean Stéphenne currently serves on the Board of various life sciences companies including TiGenix, Vaxxilon, OncoDNA, CureVac, and Bepharbel. Previous board positions include Besix Group, BNP Paribas Fortis, GBL and IBA. For his contribution to the Belgian economy and global public health, he has received diverse business recognitions and was honored with various titles by the Belgian and British governments.
 
Thomas Lienard, CEO of Bone Therapeutics, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Jean Stéphenne as our new Chairman of the Board. Jean Stéphenne has unparalleled experience in drug development and building innovative life science companies and is highly regarded within the sector. We are pleased to have attracted a Chairman of such caliber, a testament to the potential of our unique bone cell therapy platform. Jean Stéphenne will be a valuable addition to an already strong Board, as we advance our allogeneic cell therapy platform through critical clinical studies and towards commercialization. I would also like to express my thanks, on behalf of the Board and leadership team, to Steve Swinson, who has provided valuable strategic counsel during his time with the company.”
 
Jean Stéphenne, Chairman of Bone Therapeutics commented: “Bone Therapeutics is a highly innovative company at the forefront of developments in bone cell therapy and I am very excited to be joining the Board. I look forward to working closely with Thomas, the rest of the Board and the whole Bone Therapeutics team as we move towards important value inflection points for the company’s bone cell therapy products for the benefit of patients.”