A Manchester-headquartered clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, which is backed by a range of investors in the likes of Caffè Nero, Gulfstream and Dr Pepper, has appointed a new chief executive.
F2G Ltd has hired Francesco Maria Lavino from his role as acting chief commercial officer at Sesen Bio in New Jersey.
He succeeds Ian Nicholson in the position after eight years of service who will now pursue non-executive opportunities.
Mr Lavino has substantial specialty pharmaceutical leadership and expertise in the antifungal arena, including serving as AVP, global brand leader, anti-infectives portfolio at Merck & Co and as chief commercial officer of Nabriva Therapeutics, Inc.
Mr Lavino is based in Princeton and will lead the development and commercialisation of olorofim for the treatment of patients who have limited treatment options for difficult-to-treat invasive fungal mold infections such as azole-resistant aspergillosis, coccidioidomycosis, scedosporiosis, lomentosporiosis, and other rare mold infections.
He said: "This is a transformational time to join F2G and I am very excited to lead the company through its next phase of growth and to maximize the full potential of olorofim, a first-in-class, oral agent for the treatment of severe fungal infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and Valley Fever.
"The fact that olorofim is the only anti-fungal agent ever to have been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation underscores its potential to positively impact the treatment of patients with these life-threatening diseases."
Chairman Patrick Vink added: "We are delighted to welcome Francesco Lavino to F2G. He is a highly experienced leader with a proven track record of working to create significant value for shareholders.
"We believe we have a strong team in place to lead F2G into its next phase of growth. The team will focus on the US and worldwide opportunities to help patients with serious fungal infections in need of additional treatment options.
"I would like to thank Ian Nicholson for his dedicated leadership in transforming F2G from a preclinical company into the strong Company it is today with two FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations for its lead compound olorofim, and an NDA filing expected in 2022. Ian has successfully raised significant capital, most recently a $60m round in 2020, which has enabled the generation of excellent data supporting the strong efficacy and safety profile of olorofim in rare fungal infections.
"I am pleased he will continue to support the transition to ensure the further success of F2G."
F2G Ltd is backed by Merfin Capital, which has counted Caffè Nero, Gulfstream and Dr Pepper among its investments, as well as Novo Holdings, Advent Life Sciences, Brace Pharma Capital, Morningside, Cowen Healthcare Investments and the European Investment Bank.
Mr Lavino has more than 20 years of pharma and biotech experience in strategic and operational roles in US, Europe and emerging markets.
He served as chief commercial officer at Nabriva Therapeutics from July 2017 where he led the US commercial organisation buildout and the launch of Xenleta, a new antibiotic treatment.
Prior to Nabriva, he spent almost 15 years at Merck and Cubist Pharmaceuticals in different commercial roles and therapeutic areas at global, regional and country level.
He held the position of global brand leader for the anti-infective portfolio (2015-2017) and was the commercial lead of the Merck Antifungal Portfolio in EMEAC (2009-2010) and globally (2011-2013).
Mr Lavino began his career in pharmaceutical sales in Italy.
