Aeras Announces New CEO and Leadership Structure

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Aeras announced today a new leadership structure for the nonprofit biotech organization with Jacqueline E. Shea, Ph.D., the current Chief Operating Officer (COO), assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 12. Thomas G. Evans, M.D., will step down as CEO to become Acting Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Ann M. Ginsberg, M.D., Ph.D., will continue as Chief Medical Officer.

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Dr. Evans will serve as Acting CSO while Aeras considers how it wishes to fill the position permanently. "I am extremely happy that Dr. Shea will be leading Aeras as we continue our important work of tuberculosis (TB) vaccine development," said Dr. Evans. "She is an outstanding choice and I am tremendously pleased to know that Aeras leadership will be in her capable hands. This is the right time for me and the organization to make this change, after five years with Aeras first as CSO, then CEO. As Acting CSO, I will be able to focus on the work I most enjoy. There is much unfinished work for me to do in the science arena, and I am looking forward to having the time to concentrate on a number of exciting TB projects."

Dr. Shea joined Aeras as COO in April 2014, with more than 20 years of experience in the life sciences. "I came to Aeras last year to be part of the global effort to develop critically needed TB vaccines," said Dr. Shea. "I've enjoyed working with Tom and the entire Aeras team and am looking forward to the challenge of this enhanced leadership role, expanding on Tom's great work."

Before joining Aeras, Dr. Shea spent eight years in a variety of senior management roles with Emergent BioSolutions, where from 2008 to 2013 she was General Manager and Vice President of The Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium. As COO at Aeras, Dr. Shea led operations for the organization, as well as the sale of its contract manufacturing facility. "Dr. Shea's leadership was a critical success factor for the recent sale of our contract manufacturing facility to IDT Biologika, which enables Aeras to focus on its mission to develop new TB vaccines for the world," said Lota S. Zoth, Chair of the Aeras Board of Directors. "We are delighted that Jacqui will be expanding her role as CEO and look forward to how she will build on the progress and momentum that Tom Evans achieved."

The Board of Directors is grateful to Dr. Evans for his years of leadership and dedication to Aeras. Dr. Evans joined Aeras in 2010 as CSO and was promoted to CEO in 2013. "Dr. Evans was instrumental in advancing the organization's scientific mission, as well as expanding and strengthening Aeras's relationships within the TB vaccine community," said Ms. Zoth.

About Aeras
Aeras is a nonprofit, global biotech organization developing new tuberculosis vaccines for the world, in partnership with other biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic organizations. Aeras has a staff of more than 100 people from countries around the world, and has offices in the U.S., Africa, and Asia. Aeras is funded primarily by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and European donor governments. Support also is received from the U.S. government as well as from partnerships and collaborations with universities and pharmaceutical companies.

CONTACT: Ellen Wilcox, [email protected]

SOURCE Aeras