Mission Therapeutics, a drug discovery and development company focused on selectively targeting deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) to treat cancer, neurodegenerative and other diseases, announced the appointment of Dr. Anne Phelan as senior vice president, head of Discovery Research.

Dr. Phelan has spent over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and brings with her a wealth of drug discovery experience across a number of therapy areas as well as operational knowledge. She joins Mission from BenevolentAI (formerly Stratified Medical), where she served as VP, Drug Discovery. Previously, she held a number of senior positions within Pfizer including COO and head of Pharmacology at Pfizer Neusentis in Cambridge U.K.

Dr. Phelan obtained her undergraduate and doctoral degrees in Genetics from the University of Liverpool, and carried out her post-doctoral training at the MRC Institute of Virology in Glasgow.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Anker Lundemose, chief executive officer, said: “Anne’s appointment further reinforces our scientific expertise and operational capabilities as we consolidate our DUB discovery platform and focus on identifying novel disease targets and producing next generation compounds. She will play an invaluable role as we continue to build our internal pipeline and prioritise novel therapeutic programmes for preclinical and clinical development. We are pleased to welcome Anne to our leadership team.”

Dr. Anne Phelan newly appointed SVP, Head of Discovery Research, added: “Mission has rapidly earned a reputation as a leading biotech in the Cambridge, U.K., area. The company’s science and unique DUB platform, with applicability across numerous therapeutic areas, is impressive and has significant commercial potential. I am looking forward to working alongside Mission’s highly experienced and ambitious leadership team to advance its programs beyond the discovery phase.”