Moderna, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, has appointed Darius Hughes as UK general manager.

Hughes was previously head of Pfizer’s UK vaccines business unit for eight years where he liaised regularly with government, regulators and industry bodies to assist in the supply of Covid-19 vaccines in the UK. He was also chair of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry vaccines group. Before that he held several roles within Pfizer across global, European and local teams. Earlier, Hughes spent 13 years at Boots the Chemist. He is a registered pharmacist.

Dan Staner, vice-president, head of Europe, Middle East and Africa for Moderna, said: “The UK is a key science and innovation hub in Europe and, as a leader in the mRNA space, we recognise the importance of growing our presence in the market. We see the appointment of Darius as an important milestone in this growth.”

Hughes said: “I am incredibly excited to join the Moderna team and develop the company’s presence in the UK. Recognition of Moderna has grown exponentially in the UK thanks to the important role it has played combating the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to leading Moderna’s continued support of the UK’s vaccination rollout and laying the foundations for the potentially groundbreaking mRNA programmes pipeline.”