Oxford-based SpyBiotech, a biotechnology company with a novel vaccine platform technology targeting infectious diseases, cancer and chronic diseases, has appointed Keith Dewedoff as chief financial officer.

Dewedoff has more than 20 years’ experience in the life science industry, ranging from biotech venture-backed start-ups to commercial publicly traded companies. He is also chief financial officer and advisor for Danforth Advisors, an advisory firm which provides financial strategy to life science organisations. Dewedoff was previously chief financial officer of Ceptur Therapeutics and more than 10 other privately held and public companies at various life cycle stages. He has also been chief financial officer of Kaizen Bioscience where he is still active on the board as chair, and he is also a venture partner at an early-stage incubator focused on infectious diseases.

Dewedoff said: “Given the recently announced research collaboration with the University of Oxford and SpyBiotech’s Phase I trial of its HCMV vaccine, this is a really exciting time to join the company.”

Mark Leuchtenberger, chief executive of SpyBiotech added: “Keith is an excellent addition to our leadership team. His depth of expertise in financial strategy and corporate development will serve SpyBiotech well as we continue to build our organisation and progress our scientific pipeline. We look forward to this new chapter of advancement with our lead candidate in the clinic and our EBV-focused collaboration with the University of Oxford.”