Dr. Habita brings deep expertise in clinical drug development, as the Company continues to seek to progress its uniquely differentiated clinical programmes in immuno-oncology
Uxbridge, UK – 14 April 2020 – Immodulon, the immuno-oncology company, announces the appointment of Cellia K. Habita, M.D., PhD as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Company with immediate effect.
Dr. Habita has over 25 years’ experience in clinical research and drug development. She most recently led Arianne Clinical Research Inc., & International as President and CEO; which she transformed from a regulatory and clinical development consulting group in 2007, into a full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) with international reach, focusing on emerging and underdeveloped countries.
Prior to Arianne, Dr. Habita held various positions within US biotech companies and academic institutions. As director of product development at Immusol Inc., San Diego, US; she and her team filed the company’s first Investigational New Drug (IND) application. At Adventrx Inc., San Diego, US; she managed clinical operations as well as the company’s oncology portfolio, whilst also responsible for overseeing all US and international regulatory filings. Dr. Habita also held the role of medical advisor for several US and European biotech companies and provided guidance for their clinical development plans and programmes. In addition, she provided guidance for governmental agencies in the Middle East and North Africa region for the improvement of their medical research.
Dr. Habita conducted her post-doctoral research at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), US; where she developed in vivo fetal gene therapy delivery for rare and ultra-rare disorders. She then held an academic position at UCSD within the Department of Pediatrics continuing her research in gene therapy.
Dr. Habita received her PhD in Human Genetics in Paris while conducting her research at the Wellcome Trust Centre, Oxford University, UK. She also received her master’s degree in Biology and Genetics of Aging from the Centre for Human Polymorphism Studies (CEPH), Paris, France. Prior to that she completed her general residency in Paris, France; and holds a medical doctor degree from the General Medicine National Institute of Medical Sciences (INESSM), Algiers, Algeria.
Dr. Jaap Kampinga, Chief Executive of Immodulon, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Habita as our new Chief Medical Officer. Cellia’s deep expertise in drug research and clinical development will be invaluable as we continue to seek to progress our uniquely differentiated clinical programmes in immuno-oncology.”
About Immodulon Therapeutics
Immodulon Therapeutics Ltd. is a privately-owned clinical-stage immuno-oncology company primarily focused on the development of safe, effective and novel treatments for cancer. Its lead drug candidate, IMM-101, has shown promise in early clinical trials, demonstrating potential for the platform. It contains heat-killed whole cell Mycobacterium obuense which activates dendritic cells and other cells of the innate
immune system by several mechanisms, including via Toll-like receptors. Its mechanism of action should not only make this product applicable to a range of cancers but, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other standard-of care treatments, it is expected to enhance their efficacy without increasing the safety burden for the patient. For more information about Immodulon, please visit www.immodulon.com.