Aravax appoints Annette Leahy as Director of Clinical Operations
21 July 2023, Melbourne, Australia: Aravax, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-
generation immunotherapies which are safe, convenient, and precisely targeted, today announces the
appointment of Annette Leahy as Director of Clinical Operations.
Annette brings 20 years of clinical research experience in operational and project management roles
across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and contract research organisations. Her expertise will be an
asset for Aravax as it proceeds through Phase 2 trials in Australia and the United States, and prepares for
larger Phase 3 trials.
“We are thrilled that Annette has joined our team at this exciting time. She is a skilled clinical research
leader and her experience across world-leading companies will be valuable as Aravax progresses the
development of PVX108 and progresses to trials in international markets,” says Dr. Pascal Hickey, CEO of
Aravax.
Aravax recently completed a successful Phase 1 trial for PVX108 and a Phase 2 clinical study is now
underway.
Annette says, “I am thrilled to be joining the talented Aravax team and look forward to supporting the
ongoing advancement of PVX108. A groundbreaking treatment with the potential to deliver major
clinical benefits to people suffering with peanut allergies.”
Before joining Aravax, Annette was the Director of Clinical Research at Opthea, a Melbourne-based
company developing novel therapies to treat highly prevalent and progressive retinal diseases, where
she oversaw multinational Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.
Annette has extensive project management experience. At Biota where she led a global influenza
clinical trials program under a US government contract, and at Nucleus Network, where she managed
early phase clinical studies in a Phase 1 unit.
She also held senior leadership roles at Swisse Wellness and Novotech, where she developed and
oversaw clinical trial teams and departments and holds a Bachelor of Health Information Management
from La Trobe University.
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