VBI Vaccines Appoints Vaughn Himes to Board of Directors

VBI Vaccines Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIV) (VBI), a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment of disease, today announced that Vaughn B. Himes, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer of Seagen Inc., has joined VBI’s Board of Directors. Dr. Himes has a 30+-year successful track record in biotechnology strategic direction and change management, driving value creation and growth at both small and large biopharmaceutical companies.

“Vaughn brings extensive CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls), product development, quality, and strategic business transformation expertise to VBI,” said Jeff Baxter, VBI’s President and CEO. “In his current and previous roles, Vaughn has developed and delivered CMC strategies in support of seven new commercial launches valued at more than $2 billion, in addition to driving key operational efforts and corporate development deals valued at more than $1.5 billion. Vaughn’s experience will be incredibly valuable as we continue to market our 3-antigen hepatitis B vaccine, PreHevbrio [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)], and as we advance our development-stage pipeline candidates through clinical development.”

“VBI is uniquely positioned among its peer group with a commercial product, a fully owned GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility, and a proprietary technology platform with promising and diversified development-stage candidates,” said Dr. Himes. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members and with the VBI team as they endeavor to make a meaningful difference in the fight against hepatitis B and other public health and medical challenges.”

Dr. Himes’ industry experience includes nearly 15 years at Seagen, where he is currently the Chief Technology Officer and leads the manufacturing, supply chain, process sciences, and quality functions. During his tenure at Seagen, Dr. Himes has helped lead the transition from a research and development-stage company through the successful commercial launch of its first four commercially marketed products, and has played key roles in Seagen’s M&A activity leading to the recent announcement of Pfizer’s intent to acquire the company. Prior to joining Seagen in 2009, Dr. Himes spent 20 years in leadership roles overseeing CMC, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, quality control, process development, and product development operations at ZymoGenetics Corporation (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb), Corixa Corporation (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline), Targeted Genetics Corporation, Genovo Inc., and Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines (later acquired by Pfizer). Dr. Himes holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A in Chemistry from Pomona College. He also serves as a director on the Board for Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.