From May 2007 until September 2008, Mr Garland was CEO of Acambis, a company engaged in the development of novel vaccines. During this period he oversaw a series of important advances for Acambis including approval by the FDA of its smallpox vaccine, partnering with Sanofi Pasteur on a West Nile vaccine and advancing vaccines against other infectious diseases such as pandemic influenza and clostridium difficile.
From February 2008 Mr Mackney has served as interim CFO at Acambis, working closely with Ian Garland to successfully secure the US biodefence contract and the secondary financing. Prior to this he served as CFO for a private equity-backed technology company.
Peter Fellner, chairman of Vernalis, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian Garland, with his exceptional experience and strategic abilities, as our new CEO at Vernalis, following his very successful tenure at Acambis.
“I am also pleased to welcome David Mackney as CFO. His contribution to the successful development of Acambis, together with his broad previous experience, will be very valuable for Vernalis.”