Heptares co-founder Fiona Marshall to lead Merck's London research hub; Ablynx appoints Robert Friesen as new CFO
→ In a boost to its planned $1.3 billion UK drug research hub and headquarters, Merck has recruited the noted British scientist and biotech exec Fiona Marshall to the top job at the center, which is expected to open in London in 2020. The Heptares co-founder resigned from the EVP and CSO positions at parent company Sosei last week, making waves in the G protein-coupled receptors-targeting biotech she helped create. Her new appointment puts her in charge of a staff of 950, with Merck recruiting 150 scientists for the operation, and she will be focused on early bioscience discovery and entrepreneurial innovation. The US pharma giant’s investment in the UK was a much needed public relations help for the government amid the uncertainty of Brexit, and hiring a high profile local scientist was another apparent vote of confidence.
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