Another fresh face for Curve Therapeutics with Rab taking up post as chief R&D officer

Curve Therapeutics has welcomed Dr Rab Prinjha as its chief research and development (R&D) officer.

The move follows the recent arrival of Andre Hoekema and Cora Griffin, who joined the Southampton biotech as chair of the board and head of business development respectively.

Rab brings a 20-year track record leading drug discovery programmes and research across immunology, oncology, neuroscience and epigenetics.

He joins from GSK, where he was head of the immunology research unit and immunology network sponsor – overseeing a team focused on the firm’s immunology research portfolio.

Under his leadership, the GSK team delivered more than 15 clinical candidates and over 30 new targets.

Rab will now be responsible for Curve’s therapeutic portfolio strategy.

He said: “The application of Curve’s unique Microcycle platform to directly screen for molecules that are functionally active in the native context of mammalian cells is hugely powerful.

“My passion has always been for translating scientific excellence into future medicines.

“With the Curve team, there’s an exciting opportunity to apply this groundbreaking technology to deliver first-in-class medicines across oncology, neuroscience and other therapeutic areas, contributing major improvements to patient treatment.”

CEO Simon Kerry added: “Rab is the latest addition to the truly world-class leadership team we’re assembling at Curve.

“His skill set, experience and passion align with our mission to successfully drug complex and challenging disease targets and develop life-changing drugs for patients.

“As we progress towards the clinic and develop our relationships with major pharma, Rab’s exceptional track record will be invaluable.”