Defence Therapeutics names Ryan Simms as COO and radiopharmaceutical head

Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) has appointed Ryan Simms, PhD, as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Radiopharmaceutical Programs, according to a company statement.

Dr. Simms brings more than 20 years of experience in radiopharmaceutical development, spanning discovery through first-in-human clinical studies. He previously held leadership roles at Fusion Pharmaceuticals, where he directed chemistry, radiochemistry, clinical manufacturing, and external partnerships across multiple clinical-stage programs. Fusion Pharmaceuticals was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2024 for approximately $2 billion. Dr. Simms also held roles at Abdera Therapeutics and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Queen's University and completed postdoctoral research in Chemistry at the University of Toronto.

"Our immediate priority is to select a lead candidate and move it systematically through preclinical characterization, while establishing the CMC and manufacturing framework required to support its progression toward the clinic," Dr. Simms said.

Amie Phinney, President and CEO of Defence Therapeutics, said Dr. Simms' expertise will support the advancement of the company's radiopharmaceutical drug conjugate programs and its proprietary Accum technology platform.

The appointment follows the recent hiring of Dr. Phinney as President and CEO and the opening of a new company office at McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, Ontario.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Freedom Broker Downgrades Flexsteel (FLXS) to Hold
• Horizon Bancorp names two independent directors to its board
• Trump highlights ibogaine development push, Psyence BioMed responds