#USA #Providence #EpiVax #Immunogenicity #Vibha Jawa

EpiVax Welcomes Dr. Vibha Jawa as Chief Scientific Officer

EpiVax, Inc., a pioneer in preclinical immunogenicity assessment for biologic therapeutics and vaccines, has announced the appointment of Dr. Vibha Jawa as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). This strategic move comes as Dr. Annie De Groot transitions from the role of CSO to Chief Medical Officer, marking a significant shift in leadership that aims to enhance EpiVax's groundbreaking approach to immunogenicity evaluation.

Dr. Jawa brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the realms of biologics, vaccines, and gene therapy development, specifically regarding immunogenicity strategy. Previously serving as the Executive Director of Translational Medicine at Bristol Myers Squibb, she spearheaded bioanalytical strategies that were integral to preclinical and clinical assessments involving pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity across various stages of development. Her previous roles at renowned companies like Merck and Amgen further solidify her command in the field, having been instrumental in supporting the transition from discovery to development in numerous projects.

With a portfolio that boasts over 20 successful Investigational New Drug (IND), Biologics License Application (BLA), and Market Authorization Application (MAA) filings, Dr. Jawa is also recognized for her contributions to the first approved gene therapy product during her tenure at the Institute of Human Gene Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. Acclaimed as a thought leader, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and holds prestigious positions in scientific societies, including the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), where she was named a fellow in 2022.

Dr. Rich-Henry Schabowsky, the CEO of EpiVax, expressed his enthusiasm by stating, "We're thrilled to welcome Vibha to the team. Her depth of experience in biologics, especially with novel modalities, along with her expertise in evaluating and mitigating immunogenic risk, will be crucial as we continue to refine our methodologies to meet the industry's evolving needs."

Dr. De Groot added, "Dr. Jawa embodies the scientific leadership EpiVax 2.0 demands during this transitional phase. Her energy and vision will empower EpiVax to remain at the forefront of immunogenicity science, pushing boundaries and integrating advanced methodologies in our research."

As the new CSO, Dr. Jawa will oversee both external and internal research initiatives, actively representing EpiVax at key industry meetings while leading validation efforts that aim to broaden the company’s scope into new therapeutic areas. Her efforts are set to reinforce EpiVax’s reputation as a trusted partner in biologic and vaccine development.

In her own words, Dr. Jawa expressed her excitement about joining EpiVax: "This is a remarkable organization with a long-standing commitment to scientific excellence in immunogenicity assessment. I look forward to building on this legacy and refining the approaches we've established to provide the most accurate and valuable support to our partners."

About EpiVax

EpiVax is recognized as a leader in the field of preclinical immunogenicity assessment and sequence optimization for various therapeutic modalities, including peptide therapeutics, gene and cell therapies, and vaccines. The company collaborates with a global network of organizations to enhance immunogenicity risk assessments and expedite vaccine design, thereby contributing to advancements in the healthcare landscape.

EpiVax is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. For more information, visit EpiVax.com.