Oxford-based SpyBiotech, a biotechnology company with a novel vaccine platform technology targeting infectious diseases, cancer and chronic diseases, has appointed Dr Prakash Bhuyan as chief medical officer.

Bhuyan is an infectious disease specialist with more than 20 years’ experience in academia and industry. Most recently, he was chief medical officer at Aerium and before that head of clinical development for vaccines and immune therapies at AstraZeneca, organising and managing the teams that developed Covid solutions (Vaxzevria and Evusheld), as well as respiratory syncytial virus and influenza-focused products. Previously, he was the senior vice-president, clinical development, at Inovio Pharmaceuticals. Bhuyan also held vaccines and biologics leadership roles at Pfizer and Merck.

Bhuyan said: “This is a pivotal time to join the talented team at SpyBiotech. The research collaboration with the University of Oxford, the fundamental progress of the Phase I HCMV vaccine trial, and the growth of the company have positioned SpyBiotech to take on the most challenging unmet medical needs.”

SpyBiotech’s chief executive Mark Leuchtenberger commented: “[Bhuyan] brings an incredible depth of expertise in infectious diseases to our leadership team, and his success in helping to bring multiple products to market will serve SpyBiotech well as we move further into the clinic.”