The European commercialization strategy will focus on market strategies for Caris' flagship brands: the Caris Target Now® molecular profiling and therapeutic guidance test, which provides treatment options associated with clinical benefit for cancer patients, based on the molecular profile and genetic disposition of the specific tumor; and the Carisome™ Platform, a proprietary blood-based technology currently being developed for earlier, more accurate and less invasive testing for cancer and other complex diseases.
Ian Abercrombie joins Caris from Genzyme Therapeutics, where he most recently served as the European Director of Oncology, with leadership responsibility for commercial activities and performance for the company's key hematology product in EU, Eurasian and Australian affiliates. Previously, Abercrombie was the Programme Director at Bioenvision, a U.K.-based start up, which was eventually acquired by Genzyme. Abercrombie has also held commercial management positions at Johnson & Johnson (Ortho-Biotech and Janssen Cilag divisions). He completed a post-graduate certificate at Caledonian University in health education, graduated from Stirling University with Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and attended the Johnson & Johnson Management Development Program.
Ian Walker joins the company from his most recent position as Global Program Director of Molecular Diagnostics for Novartis, where he helped to set up the business unit and led the strategy, implementation and execution of the company's first molecular diagnostics program. Prior to that role, Walker served both as the Respiratory Delivery Devices Director and Global Brand Manager for respiratory pipeline products at Novartis. Walker has also held key positions at AstraZeneca, including Brand Manager, Group Product Manager and UK Brand Leader. Walker graduated from Imperial College with a Bachelor of Sciences degree and ARCS in Chemistry.
"I am excited to have both these demonstrated leaders join our team, as they will immediately contribute to Caris' efforts to provide patients in Europe innovative, cost-effective and highly-accurate testing services," said Dominic P. Moorhead, President European Operations. "With the Carisome Platform and Caris Target Now, Caris Life Sciences will deliver truly personalized medicine to the European health systems, and these additions to our team will help build the momentum."
About Caris Life Sciences
Caris Life Sciences, a leading biosciences company, specializes in the development and commercialization of the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling, and blood-based diagnostic technologies, in the fields of oncology, dermatopathology, hematopathology, gastrointestinal pathology and urologic pathology. The company provides academic-caliber consultations for thousands of patients a day, through its industry-leading team of expert, subspecialty pathologists. Caris also offers advanced molecular analyses of patient samples through prognostic testing services and genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling to assist physicians in their treatment of cancer. Currently, Caris is developing the Carisome(TM) platform, a proprietary, blood-based technology for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis of cancer and other complex diseases. The company is headquartered in the Dallas metroplex, operates laboratories in the Dallas, Phoenix and Boston metro areas and is entering the European markets through its first international location, in Switzerland. For more information, visit www.carislifesciences.com.