Hollowood to lead Syncona
Plus: Manion to lead Aclaris and a new CTO at Optibrium
U.K.-based cell and gene therapy VC Syncona Ltd. announced several management updates, including the promotion of Chief Investment Officer Chris Hollowood to CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Hollowood succeeds CEO Martin Murphy, who has been appointed chair of Syncona Investment Management Ltd., effective the same date. The firm also promoted Edward Hodgkin to senior partner, and Magdalena Jonikas and Elisa Petris to lead partner. Syncona recently invested in SwanBio Therapeutics Inc.; another portfolio company, Gyroscope Therapeutics Holdings plc, was acquired by Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN; NYSE:NVS) for $800 million last year.
Immuno-inflammatory disease company Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ACRS) will also have a new CEO on Jan. 1, 2023, when COO Doug Manion succeeds CEO Neal Walker. Manion joined the company in August from Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he was EVP of R&D. Walker will take over as board chair from Christopher Molineaux, who will become a lead independent director. Aclaris also said that VP, Finance Kevin Balthaser will succeed CFO Frank Ruffo, and named VP Legal and Compliance Matthew Rothman as general counsel and corporate secretary. Ruffo is retiring on Dec. 31 after serving as CFO since Aclaris’ inception in 2012...