Open Orphan (ORPH said it has appointed Yamin ‘Mo’ Khan as CEO with immediate effect, a customer-focused CRO executive with over 25 years of global clinical research experience.
Khan has been an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company since October 2021, chairing both the Audit and Risk, and Nomination Committees. Open Orphan said it will now look to fill the vacant position and associated committee positions within the next 6 months.
In the interim period, the company explained that Khan will remain on both the Audit and Risk, and Nomination Committees, however, he will step down as Chair with immediate effect, while he will also step down from the Remuneration Committee with immediate effect, it outlined.
Elaine Sullivan, as Independent Non-Executive Director, will take on the Chair position for the Audit & Risk Committee in the interim and for the Nomination Committee on a full-time basis.
The specialist contract research organisation (CRO) says Kan is a customer-focused CRO executive ‘with over 25 years of global clinical research experience across clinical operations, project management, business development and executive management functions.’
Khan previously worked at Pharm-Olam International, a global CRO, for 19 years from 2000-2019, while he has also worked across a variety of senior positions including Executive Vice President of Clinical Development, as well as a Global Director of Clinical Operations.
It said Khan was ‘a key leader in driving the expansion and growth of the company from a small niche Eastern European CRO to a global player with offices across all continents.’
‘Laterally, he led global business development at Pharm-Olam resulting in significant growth and a successful sale in 2017, delivering substantial returns to its shareholders. Prior to this he worked at Innovex and Quintiles CRO (IQVIA),’ the company informed investors today.
Commenting on the appointment, Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman, Open Orphan, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mo Khan as Chief Executive Officer of Open Orphan. In the few short months since he joined us, Mo has shared with us his invaluable experience and knowledge of the CRO industry to the benefit of the Company. With substantial growth across the global infectious and respiratory disease market, the Company has experienced a significant increase in human challenge study contract negotiations.”
Yamin ‘Mo’ Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Open Orphan, said: “I have been very impressed by the outstanding progress that Cathal, the Board and the team have made in establishing Open Orphan as the world leader in human challenge trials, with repeat business from Big Pharma and consistent work from small to mid-sized biotechnology companies. These are exciting times for Open Orphan and its subsidiaries, and I look forward to working closely with Cathal and the team as we go forward, helping to drive further growth for the Company.”
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