Coulter Partners Recruits Chief Development Officer for CellCentric

October 2, 2024 – Chief development officers are crucial to life sciences organizations as they drive strategic planning and oversee the development of new products and therapies, ensuring alignment with market needs. They foster collaboration across research, regulatory, and commercial teams to streamline innovation and accelerate time to market. Finding these executives has kept executive search firms busy. Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has recently helped to recruit Andy Fergus as chief development officer of U.K. biotech company CellCentric.

“Andy brings important and extensive experience to the team at this critical time in the development of inobrodib,” said Will West, CEO of CellCentric. “We welcome his energy and insights as we continue to move towards our goal of delivering a high impact treatment for cancer that reaches the widest communities. We would like to extend our thanks to Coulter Partners for their work in identifying and placing such a highly qualified candidate. Their geographic reach and commitment to finding top talent in the industry were instrumental in this successful placement.”

Mr. Fergus is an experienced drug development leader with more than 20 years’ experience in multiple myeloma. Most recently, he served as executive director and global project leader for Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Oncology Therapeutic Area, focused on myeloma. His expertise encompasses strategic planning, risk assessment and mitigation, and life cycle management, all driven by a strong commitment to fostering high-performing teams. Mr. Fergus previously held senior roles across biotech, pharma, clinical research organizations, as well as academia.

Mr. Fergus brings over 20 years of experience in multiple myeloma drug development. Based in Boston, he will help to lead the clinical development of inobrodib, focusing on the current phase II trials and subsequent pivotal studies. “I have a deep commitment to improving and extending the lives of people with multiple myeloma,” said Mr. Fergus. “I am thrilled for this next step in my career where I can continue to progress advancements of much needed agents with novel mechanisms of action that are also easy-to-administer. Inobrodib has demonstrated very encouraging clinical data to date, and I look forward to being part of the outstanding leadership team at CellCentric to bring this novel treatment to patients in need.”

Related: Keys to Succession Planning in Healthcare

CellCentric’s mission is to transform outcomes for people living with specific cancers, notably relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, as quickly and effectively as possible. The clinical-stage biotech company focuses on the development of inobrodib, a first in class p300/CBP inhibitor for the treatment of specific cancer types. CellCentric recently secured a $35 million investment from RA Capital Management, which will be used to complete development activities in alignment with FDA requirements, to ensure full readiness for pivotal clinical trials.

Life Sciences Experts

Coulter Partners is a board- and senior-level global executive search specialist focused exclusively on life sciences. The firm works closely with those at the cutting edge of innovation in the industry to understand their challenges.


Leadership Void: Change Agents Sought for Life Sciences Sector
Given the integration of technology into all facets of everyday life, the healthcare industry is not alone in facing technology-related issues. These take on increased importance when they impact health, disease diagnosis, treatment and, ultimately, human longevity. Having the right leaders in place to sort through these complex challenges, say recruiters serving the sector, is critical — especially those with vision and transformational skills.

According to life sciences sector specialist Bianca Coulter, finding leaders for organizations throughout the field impacts the industry’s ability to deliver advances in diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of disease. Hence the need to recruit just the right ones who can transform the organizations they join.


With an extensive global network and expertise gained over 25 years in the sector, Coulter Partners is a trusted leadership adviser in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics, health-tech, CRO, and services sectors. The firm also works closely with the global investor community, hiring for their own teams as well as building the boards and executive leadership teams of their portfolio companies. Coulter Partners’ team of 95 completes over 260 assignments a year working from 14 offices across the U.K., EMEA, the U.S., and APAC.

Bianca Coulter founded Coulter Partners in 2003 and has 25 years’ experience of board and C-level global search, building the leadership teams of early stage, mid-cap, and global multinationals in over 20 countries. Through appointing leadership, Ms. Coulter channels her judgment and expertise to impact patient benefit and assist those at the cutting edge of life science to achieve their goals.

Related: As Investors Retreat, Healthcare/Life Sciences Sector Stays Resilient

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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