Coulter Partners Secures Chief Scientific Officer for Azitra
October 21, 2019 – Life sciences-focused executive search firm Coulter Partners has recruited Mark Sampson as chief scientific officer of Azitra, a clinical-stage medical dermatology company that combines the power of the microbiome with cutting-edge genetic engineering to treat skin disease. Recruiters Chris Palatucci, Nicholas Green and Natasha Bull led the assignment.
“Mark brings insight, experience and focused leadership to our programs and will play an instrumental role in bringing Azitra to the next level,” said Richard Andrews, president and CEO of Azitra. “I thank the team at Coulter Partners for their outstanding work in helping us achieve this quality appointment. We have made tremendous progress this year, and with Mark leading our technical team I am confident we will enjoy more growth and success.”
Dr. Sampson most recently worked with Botanix Pharmaceuticals where he was responsible for development of preclinical strategy and clinical development plans for new antimicrobial indications. Previously, he served as vice president of research and development at Realm Therapeutics (formerly Puricore), a company developing therapeutics for dermatology and immune-mediated diseases. Dr. Sampson held prior research roles at Sterilox Technologies and Warwick International Ltd.
“I am very excited to join Azitra at this important stage of the company’s growth as additional products begin to enter clinical trials,” said Dr. Sampson. “Azitra’s unique approach to leveraging the microbiome to treat adverse skin conditions holds great promise. I look forward to continuing to build the team and advance these programs focused on exciting potential new treatments for serious skin conditions.”
Azitra was founded in 2014 by scientists from Yale University and works with world-leading scientists in dermatology, microbiology and genetic engineering to advance its pharmaceutical programs to treat cancer therapy associated skin rashes, targeted orphan indications and atopic dermatitis.
Life Sciences Specialists
Coulter Partners is a senior-level executive search boutique focused exclusively on identifying global life sciences leaders and board directors. The firm serves clients in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, CRO and services sectors.
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Coulter operates overseas offices in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland and Denmark. In the U.S., the firm has offices in Cambridge, MA; Princeton, NJ; Pittsburgh; Los Angeles; and Short Hills, NJ.
Dr. Palatucci, who is based in the firm’s Cambridge office, focuses on board-level and senior roles across a broad range of functions, with emphasis on technical appointments – CTO, CSO, CMO, VP, R&D. Clients range from start-ups through major pharmaceutical companies. He joined Coulter Partners in 2014. Previously, he started and grew the life sciences practice for an established Boston boutique executive search firm before starting his own search practice. Before entering executive search Dr. Palatucci had a 15-year career in the life sciences industry, including senior management roles at Interleukin Genetics and the Athena Diagnostics division of Elan Pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Green handles all board and senior executive functional areas, with core emphasis on finance, corporate development, professional services and transaction-orientated roles. He has a strong focus on helping U.S. companies commercialize internationally and EU companies enter the U.S. market. Mr. Green has a track record of leadership appointments in Europe, North America and emerging markets, including chairperson, board director, CEO, CFO, CMO, CSO, clinical development, translational/discovery, commercial, HR and IT.
Ms. Bull handles C-suite and senior global executive search assignments across commercial and R&D functions for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies. She draws on over 15 years of specialist Life Science search experience with international search boutiques on the West and East coasts of the U.S.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
