Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals has appointed a new Chief Medical Officer as its osteoarthritis program moves from recruitment into a potential regulatory submission.
Dr Daniel Furtner succeeds Dr Donna Skerrett, who stays with the Melbourne-based company as Senior Scientific Advisor.
Paradigm's global Phase 3 trial, PARA_OA_012, has finished recruiting 538 participants across the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Moldova, and the company is now assembling the clinical evidence package for injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium, marketed as Zilosul, ahead of future regulatory submissions.
Dr Furtner has more than twenty years of experience across the life sciences and healthcare industries, with expertise in medical affairs, rheumatology, immunology and joint diseases. Most recently, he was Senior Director of Medical Affairs for the Asia Pacific region at CSL in Melbourne, following roles of increasing responsibility at Abbott and AbbVie and at Janssen in Europe, Asia and Australia. He has led international clinical studies and education programs for patients, carers and nurses, with a particular focus on rheumatology care in the Asia Pacific.
Skerrett had held the Chief Medical Officer post since September 2019 and was central to the company's clinical and regulatory development, including the execution of the Phase 3 trial.
Executive Chairman Paul Rennie said, "On behalf of the Board and the entire Paradigm team, I would like to thank Donna for her outstanding contribution as Chief Medical Officer. Since joining Paradigm in 2019, Donna has helped shape our clinical development strategy and has led our clinical team with an unwavering commitment to scientific rigour, patient safety and data quality."
Rennie pointed to the recruitment milestone as the measure of that work. "The successful recruitment of 538 participants into our global Phase 3 trial reflects years of planning, regulatory preparation and clinical execution. Donna's leadership has been central to that achievement, and we are delighted that she will continue to contribute her expertise as Senior Scientific Advisor."
On the incoming appointment, Rennie said, "Daniel brings extensive international pharmaceutical experience and deep therapeutic knowledge in rheumatology and joint diseases. His experience in medical affairs and international clinical studies will be valuable as we advance our Phase 3 program and develop the evidence package to support future regulatory submissions. Having Daniel lead our medical strategy, with Donna's continued scientific support, provides a strong foundation for this next stage."
Skerrett described the trial as a career high point. "Leading Paradigm's clinical program has been immensely rewarding and completing recruitment into PARA_OA_012 has been one of the proudest achievements of my career. It reflects the extraordinary commitment of our clinical team, investigators, partners and, above all, the participants and their families."
She signalled she is not stepping back from the science. "I remain fully committed to Paradigm and excited by the potential of iPPS. I look forward to supporting Daniel through a seamless transition and continuing to contribute as Senior Scientific Advisor as we generate the clinical and scientific evidence that will guide the program's next steps."
