Malin, an Irish-based global life sciences company, announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach as Chief Medical Adviser, effective immediately. Dr. von Eschenbach previously served as an advisory partner to Malin.

Dr. von Eschenbach is currently the president of Samaritan Health Initiatives Inc, and serves as an adjunct professor at Houston’s University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center. He is also a member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation Board of Directors and a Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute, a non-profit think tank.

Dr. von Eschenbach previously served as the Commissioner of the FDA from 2006 to 2009 and was the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institute of Health for the four years prior to his tenure at the FDA. At the time of his appointment to the role of FDA Commissioner, Dr. von Eschenbach was also the president-elect of the American Cancer Society. He spent over three decades as a physician, surgeon, oncologist and executive and is the author of more than 300 scientific articles and studies.

As Malin’s Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. von Eschenbach will work with the management team and the company’s therapeutic assets, with an initial focus on oncology and immuno-oncology related companies, including Poseida and Immunocore.

Adrian Howd, Chief Executive Officer at Malin said: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to this broader role within the Malin team. His extensive clinical, executive and regulatory knowledge and experience will greatly benefit our portfolio companies across all stages of their development. This is another example of Malin’s unique operational approach to translating high-quality science into clinical and commercial success.”

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach commented: “I am thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate more closely with the Malin team and its investee companies. Now is a great time for me to join in a formal role as the portfolio continues to mature towards clinical and regulatory milestones. Malin’s investee companies have already made tremendous strides and I look forward to playing a greater role in their journey.”