EpiVax Appoints Dr. Vibha Jawa as Chief Scientific Officer to Drive Scientific Strategy

EpiVax Welcomes Dr. Vibha Jawa as New CSO

EpiVax, Inc., a leader in preclinical immunogenicity assessment for biologics and vaccines, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Vibha Jawa, PhD, FAAPS, as its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Jawa succeeds the company's founder, Dr. Annie De Groot, who transitions from her role as CSO to serve as the Chief Medical Officer. With over two decades of extensive leadership experience in the development of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and gene therapies, Dr. Jawa stands out as a formidable asset for EpiVax.

Dr. Jawa’s Extensive Background

Most recently, Dr. Jawa held the position of Executive Director of Translational Medicine at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she spearheaded bioanalytical strategy, supporting preclinical and clinical evaluations related to pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity across the developmental pipeline. Her prior roles at Merck and Amgen further cement her reputation as an expert in immunogenicity assessment, contributing significantly to efforts from discovery through development phases. Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Jawa has been involved in more than 20 successful IND, BLA, and marketing authorization applications across various therapeutic modalities, and was part of the team at the University of Pennsylvania supporting the first approved gene therapy product.

Notable as a recognized opinion leader in bioanalysis and immunogenicity, Dr. Jawa has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has actively participated in prestigious scientific societies and consortiums, namely AAPS, IQ, SC, and EIP. In recognition of her impactful contributions, she was named an AAPS Fellow in 2022.

Vision for EpiVax's Future

Dr. Rich-Henry Schabowsky, the CEO of EpiVax, expressed his enthusiasm stating, "We are excited to welcome Vibha to our team. Her extensive experience in biologics, particularly with novel modalities, coupled with her expertise in assessing and mitigating immunogenic risks will be critical as we continue to evolve our methodologies to meet the complex needs of the industry."

Dr. Annie De Groot added, "Dr. Jawa is the ideal scientific leader for EpiVax 2.0, a transformation that began in 2024. She brings a necessary energy at this stage, and I am thrilled to hand over the reins to Dr. Jawa. She will ensure that EpiVax remains at the forefront of immunogenicity science, driving innovation while bridging in vitro data, immunoinformatics, and artificial intelligence."

In her role as CSO, Dr. Jawa will have both external and internal responsibilities, representing EpiVax at key meetings while leading internal research and validation efforts. Her leadership will also facilitate the company's expansion into new therapeutic areas, enhancing EpiVax’s position as a trusted partner in the development of biologics and vaccines.

Commitment to Excellence

Expressing her excitement about joining EpiVax, Dr. Jawa remarked, "I am eager to be part of an extraordinary company with a rich history of scientific excellence in immunogenicity assessment. I look forward to building upon this legacy, refining the team's approaches to ensure that we provide the most accurate and informed support possible."

About EpiVax

EpiVax is recognized as a leader in the preclinical evaluation and optimization of immunogenicity for peptide therapies, biologics, gene/cell therapies, and vaccines. The company collaborates with businesses, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions worldwide to accelerate immunogenicity risk assessments, immune modulation, and rapid vaccine design. For more information, visit EpiVax.com.