Brighton-based Destiny Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel medicines preventing life-threatening infections, has appointed Chris Tovey as chief executive, effective 1 September, taking over from interim chief executive Dr Debra Barker, who will return to her position as a non-executive director.

The company also announced the departure of chairman Nick Rodgers, who has resigned to pursue other interests. Discussions with a new outside chairman are said to be very advanced with a further announcement expected shortly.

Tovey is an experienced, senior pharmaceutical executive. He was most recently chief operating officer, executive vice-president, and managing director of Europe and international at Jazz Pharmaceuticals following the acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals, where he was chief operating officer, executive vice-president and a board director. Tovey held multiple senior commercial roles in the industry including vice-president and head of global sales and marketing at UCB Pharma and 18 years in senior commercial roles at GlaxoSmithKline in a wide range of therapeutic areas.

Tovey said: “I am delighted to be joining Destiny, where there is an incredibly exciting opportunity to progress a highly innovative product pipeline, targeting prevention of infections and representing powerful new offerings to the healthcare community that is seeking new approaches to treat and prevent infectious diseases. Central will be XF-73 which following on from excellent phase 2b clinical data, and a positive endorsement from our scientific advisory board, is phase 3 ready for both US and European development.”

Rodgers added: “I am delighted with the progress Destiny Pharma has made since I joined as chairman five years ago. In recent years, we have significantly advanced the clinical pipeline, with the acquisition and subsequent partnering of NTCD-M3 with Sebela, and the establishment of a robust $2 billion-plus market opportunity in the US with XF-73. Bringing Chris on as the new CEO is a critical appointment as the company moves towards commercialising its advanced clinical stage assets, which have the potential to provide transformative treatments for patients. With Chris’s appointment agreed, it is the correct time for me to step back from the company, and I wish Chris and the team every success as Destiny continues on its growth journey.”