ADCT Appoints Senior VP of R&D

ADC Therapeutics (ADCT) has announced the appointment of former Genmab Vice President Dr Patrick van Berkel as Senior Vice President, Research & Development.

Dr van Berkel has more than twenty years’ experience in the biotech industry, and in particular in developing antibody based therapeutics.

He served with Genmab for more than nine years in different divisions; his most recent position was as Vice President of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC), Research & Development.

Previously, he held senior positions, including Director of Technology for the Antibody Technology division, before moving across to CMC in 2008.

Prior to Genmab, Dr van Berkel worked for both Crucell and Pharming Technologies. He is an author on at least nine antibody patents and has published over thirty peer-reviewed scientific papers during his career in the industry.

Michael Forer, CEO of ADCT and a Partner in Celtic Therapeutics, the private equity firm which is its majority shareholder, said: “Patrick is highly experienced in developing ADC therapies and will be a great asset to ADCT as we move forward in developing our pipeline. He has worked in the biologics area for two decades, including successfully taking concept ADCs towards IND. We are very pleased he is joining our team.”

On his appointment, Dr van Berkel said: “The coming decade will see an explosion in ADC therapies in development and coming to market, given their potential to deliver more targeted antibody therapies with fewer side effects. It is an exciting time to join ADCT. I believe ADCT has the potential to become a major player in this area and I look forward to the opportunity to help drive the business forward.”