Cambridge, UK: 2 February 2016 – Crescendo Biologics Limited (Crescendo), the drug discovery and
developer of Humabody™ VH therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Dr Barbara Fleck as
Head of Intellectual Property.
Barbara Fleck, a European and Chartered Patent Attorney, has over 13 years’ experience of Intellectual Property issues in the bio therapeutics field, including four years as a partner at Marks&Clerk LLP. Further background information is included below.
The appointment of Dr Fleck ensures that Crescendo is maximising its IP position and potential for its
Humabody™ products. The Company is rapidly expanding its oncology pipeline and IP portfolio by targeting a range of cancer indications where Humabody™ therapeutics such as Humabody™ Drug
Conjugates and multi-specific immune-oncology (IO) modulators have the potential to deliver highvalue
therapeutics to patients.
The Company’s growing pipeline is based on its Humabody™ VH Technology. Humabodies combine the
VH format of minimal size with the power of transgenic mouse technology – the gold standard in
antibody therapeutics development – which confers the substantial benefits of in vivo maturation. As
a result, Humabodies have excellent potency and druggability including superior CMC properties for
drug development.
The Humabody™ VHs are 100% human and represent the smallest possible immunoglobulin fragments
offering a range of plug & play options for generating novel multi-specific biologics. Humabody™
therapeutics are therefore expected to establish a valuable new class of therapeutics.
Dr Peter Pack, CEO of Crescendo Biologics, said:
“Barbara’s appointment means that Crescendo now has a dedicated IP expert for its rapidly growing
portfolio of Humabody™ therapeutics. She brings a unique combination of experience in the
biopharmaceutical industry, especially in the antibody field, ranging from patent portfolio
development and management to prosecution and due diligence. As part of the management team,
Barbara will provide invaluable senior level counsel to the Company on its IP strategy.”
Dr Barbara Fleck, the new Head of IP, added:
“Crescendo is transitioning to a product-oriented oncology therapeutics company. Having worked as
an external advisor with Crescendo for the last six years, I am now very pleased to join the Company’s
Senior Leadership team at this pivotal time to ensure that Crescendo’s IP position remains strong.”
This announcement follows the appointment of antibody veteran Kevin Johnson as Chairman at the
end of 2015.
Background on Dr Barbara Fleck
Barbara is a European and Chartered Patent Attorney with over 13 years’ experience in Intellectual
Property issues in the life sciences sector. Before joining Crescendo Biologics she was a partner at
Marks&Clerk LLP, an International firm of Patent and Trademark Attorneys, where she advised
clients on all aspects of patent protection, IP strategy, portfolio management and IP due diligence, in
particular in the area of bio therapeutics.
Barbara successfully defended Crescendo’s European platform patent EP1399559B2 in Opposition
and Appeal proceedings at the European Patent Office.
Notes to Editors:
About Crescendo Biologics Ltd
Crescendo Biologics is a biopharmaceutical company involved in discovering and developing potent,
highly differentiated Humabody ™ therapeutics with a focus on cancer. The Company’s Humabody™
therapeutics are based on its proprietary, robust and highly efficient fully human VH domain
technology platform.
Crescendo is building a pipeline of new differentiated medicines, including Humabody™ Drug
Conjugates (HDCs) and multi-specific immuno-oncology (IO) modulators, through in-house
development and strategic partnerships.
Crescendo’s technology platform is centred on a unique and proprietary transgenic mouse, which
enables the benefits of in vivo maturation to be harnessed thereby naturally optimising the affinity
and biophysical properties of Humabodies. Compared with monoclonal antibodies, Humabodies
offer a unique combination of potential benefits that results from their small size, cost-effective
production and modular plug & play engineering options for generating novel bi- or multi-specific
formats.
Crescendo is located in Cambridge, UK, and is backed by blue-chip investors including Sofinnova
Partners, Imperial Innovations, Astellas Venture Management and EMBL Ventures.
For more information, please visit the website: www.crescendobiologics.com
For more information, please contact:
Crescendo Biologics
Dr Peter Pack, CEO
Tel:44 (0)1223 497140
[email protected]
Instinctif Partners
Dr Christelle Kerouedan / Melanie Toyne-Sewell
Tel:44 (0)20 7457 2020
[email protected]
