Professor Andrew Fisher

FibroFind has appointed Professor Andrew Fisher as Chief Medical Officer as the company accelerates its global expansion. The Newcastle-based CRO specialises in human-relevant tissue models and has worked closely with Fisher for several years through an academic partnership with Newcastle University.

Bringing more than 20 years of experience as an NHS consultant physician and internationally recognised expertise in transplantation medicine, advanced lung disease and translational research, Andrew will help strengthen FibroFind’s clinical strategy and support the development of its human-relevant disease models.

This appointment follows a period of rapid growth for FibroFind, which has doubled in size over the past year while expanding its executive team to support international reach.

Andrew explained: "Throughout more than two decades as an NHS consultant physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that progressive fibrotic diseases have on patients, often leading to organ failure.

"As a transplant physician, I also understand the limitations of current treatment options. For many patients, transplantation simply is not possible, highlighting the urgent need to identify and evaluate new therapies."

He added: "I've always believed human tissue from diseased organs is fundamental to accelerating drug discovery"

Oisín Ó Gógáin

Inizio has appointed Oisín Ó Gógáin as Chief People Officer as the company continues to scale its global people strategy. The health and life sciences commercialisation partner employs 10,900 people worldwide and supports clients with clinical development and commercialisation journeys to maximise patient access.

Based at Inizio’s Dublin headquarters, Oisín joins from Aon, where he was most recently Chief People Officer for the UK, Ireland and South Africa subregion, supporting around 10,000 colleagues. Over 14 years with the firm he held senior HR and Chief People Officer roles across Europe, with a particular focus on the Nordic region, and also spent time working in the US.

Oisín brings extensive experience in building inclusive, values-led cultures that strengthen client focus and colleague engagement. He has led complex organisational change, including acquisitions and integrations, tech-enabled transformation, leadership development and the creation of sustainable talent pipelines at scale.

Ryan Quigley, Chief Executive Officer of Inizio, said: "I'm delighted that Oisín is joining Inizio at such a pivotal point in our growth.

"As we lead the way in intelligent commercialisation for our clients, our ability to deliver depends on the strength, connection and capability of our own people. Oisín's experience building inclusive, high-performing cultures makes him exactly the right leader to help us do that. His leadership will play a key role in strengthening our culture, supporting our people, and enabling the next phase of our journey."

Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services has appointed Jos Vergeest as Senior Business Development Director as the Stirling-based CDMO continues to advance its international growth plans. The company specialises in aseptic fill-finish manufacturing for injectable medicines used in clinical trials and commercial supply.

Jos brings three decades of commercial pharmaceutical experience to the role. He spent fifteen years in sales, marketing and management positions at GSK and AstraZeneca before moving into contract development and manufacturing with HALIX, where he supported its evolution from start-up to mid-sized CDMO. His most recent role was with Wacker Biotech, overseeing Business Development activities across Europe and Asia.

Jos commented: "Pharmaceutical companies are looking for CDMOs that offer real partnerships, which means understanding their needs, thinking alongside them and providing genuine flexibility, responsiveness and open communication. For me, business development is about building the trust that allows us to solve challenges together."

His experience in helping scale a specialist CDMO aligns closely with Symbiosis’ £26 million investment programme, which has expanded sterile manufacturing capacity for larger-scale clinical and commercial projects.

Based in the Netherlands, Jos will work with the wider Symbiosis team to establish new strategic partnerships, strengthen existing client relationships and ensure market and customer insight informs growth plans across the Benelux and DACH regions.

Franziska Katterbach

Fieldfisher has appointed Franziska Katterbach as a partner in its life sciences sector group. She is recognised as one of Germany’s leading advisers on regulatory matters relating to medical cannabis.

Franziska advises companies across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics on regulatory, commercial and transaction-related matters. She supports clients throughout the entire life cycle of products and services, from early research and development through technology transfer, commercialisation and exit.

She is particularly well known for her work in medical cannabis, one of the fastest-growing areas in the life sciences sector. In this field she advises on regulatory requirements, market access, distribution, pharmacy structures, prescribing practices and the development of viable business models.

Franziska brings experience from a market that is evolving rapidly, both legally and economically. She has held senior executive roles at two international pharmaceutical companies, giving her direct involvement in strategic direction, new market development and operational leadership.

This corporate background shapes her advisory approach, enabling her to understand client challenges from legal, strategic and operational perspectives.

Her medical cannabis practice includes advising on M&A transactions, authorisation and appeal proceedings and compliance issues. She also regularly comments on developments in market access, digital healthcare and European law. As part of her work, she will collaborate closely with Robert Jappie, a partner and cannabis regulatory specialist based in Fieldfisher’s London office.