TB Alliance Adds New Member to Research & Development Team
The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), a public-private partnership accelerating the discovery and development of more effective and affordable tuberculosis (TB) medicines, has announced the appointment of Dr. Dean Haubrich as Head of Project Management. A pharmaceutical industry veteran with over 30 years of R&D experience, Dr. Haubrich comes from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) where he managed the global development activities between BMS and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, including the joint company launch of the schizophrenia therapeutic, Abilify.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Haubrich to the TB Alliance team,” said Dr. Maria C. Freire, CEO of the TB Alliance. “With his extensive pharmaceutical experience, he is a valuable asset to the Alliance and joins at an important time, as promising TB drug compounds move into more advanced stages of clinical development in our portfolio.”
Dr. Haubrich was previously Director of Neuroscience and Genitourinary Project Planning and Management for Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he coordinated the activities of drug safety assessment, pharmaceutical development, clinical working groups, regulatory affairs and licensing committees. Prior to Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Haubrich held biological research positions with Merck, Rhone Poulenc Rorer and Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute, where he oversaw drug discovery in multiple therapeutic areas.
“Given the growth of the TB Alliance portfolio, Dr. Haubrich’s industry insight is key to evaluating the optimal use of resources and ensuring that new TB drug projects meet all critical success factors,” said Dr. Richard O’Brien, Head of Product Evaluation with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and member of the TB Alliance Scientific Advisory Committee. “His expertise in managing large-scale drug R&D projects will enhance the Alliance’s progress.”
As Head of Project Management, Dr. Haubrich will work closely with Dr. Mel Spigelman, Director of Research and Development, to oversee the coordination of all project related activities within the TB Alliance portfolio, including the establishment of the systems and procedures for optimizing drug development. Additionally, he will be responsible for the management of multiple project teams, coordinating a growing TB Alliance portfolio.
“I am excited by this opportunity to participate in a meaningful endeavor of producing new TB treatments,” said Dr. Haubrich. “I want to ensure the development of new and improved TB drugs that will be accessible as soon as possible to patients around the world who urgently need them.”
Dr. Haubrich completed his post-doctoral work at the National Institutes of Health and holds a B.S. from Bethany College and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. A member of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Dr. Haubrich has served as an editorial board member for Neurobiology of Aging and as a reviewer for several leading medical journal publications. He has also conducted extensive research on the effects of drugs on the brain, and has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, review articles and presentations.