PIR International supports appointment of VP of Clinical Development at Maxion Therapeutics

PIR International recently partnered with Maxion Therapeutics in appointing Helen Timmis as VP of Clinical Development.

Maxion Therapeutics (Maxion) is developing a pipeline of potentially first and best-in-class protein therapeutics using its proprietary KnotBody® technology. KnotBody® therapeutics solve a key problem in industry making ion channel and GPCR targets tractable for biologics. Maxion is projected to have the only biologic targeting an ion channel to enter the clinic this year.

Headquartered in Cambridge UK and founded in 2020 by highly respected biotech entrepreneurs and scientists Dr. John McCafferty and Dr. Aneesh Karatt-Vellatt, Maxion Therapeutics raised $72 million in an oversubscribed Series A in early 2025 led by General Catalyst with additional investment from new blue-chip investors, Lilly Ventures, British Patient Capital, Solasta Ventures and supported by existing investors LifeArc Ventures, Monograph Capital and BGF.

Maxion is deploying its Series A funds to transform Maxion into a development-stage biotech company, taking its lead KnotBody® programme MAX001 for different immune-mediated inflammatory disorders to clinical proof-of-concept and advancing additional programmes towards the clinic. In line with this positive momentum, Maxion desired a deepening of its in-house translational and early clinical development expertise within its core areas of therapeutic area focus, and thus sought to appoint a VP of Clinical Development in early 2026.

To lead this important appointment, Maxion’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) engaged PIR International early in their exploration of thought around an early clinical development leadership profile who would work closely with its Chief Development Officer, Stefan Härtle, to both strategically and operationally lead its primary MAX001 programme towards the clinic. PIR International’s team, led by Stuart Penney, Sally Hope, and Nehal Sreedhar, undertook a comprehensive search, yielding a highly curated shortlist of notable candidates that provided Stefan Härtle with an informed choice around the strongest applicable profiles in the market.

Following a thorough evaluation and selection process, Maxion’s ELT appointed Helen Timmis as VP of Clinical Development. Helen brings over 18 years of experience in industry and academia within early clinical research and development, with deep expertise in inflammatory and fibrosis indications. Helen most recently resided as Chief Medical Officer at RedX Pharma, where she oversaw all strategic and operational clinical activities across the business, and was formerly Senior Medical Director at Galapagos, where she led early clinical development across Galapagos’ inflammatory and immune-mediated disease programmes internationally.

Helen’s appointment underlines Maxion’s early commitment to strengthening its clinical and translational capabilities, advancing its lead programme towards the clinic and ultimately edging closer to providing patients with the benefits of its KnotBody® technology.

Comment from Stefan Härtle, Chief Development Officer, Maxion Therapeutics: “The team at PIR International demonstrated exceptional insight and commitment throughout the process. Sally and Stuart took the time to understand our culture and priorities, which resulted in a perfect match for our needs. We’re thrilled to have Helen join us to strengthen our clinical team and to help us advance our lead programme MAX001 and other KnotBody® therapeutics to patients.”

Comment from Helen Timmis, VP Clinical Development, Maxion Therapeutics: “Any recruiter can match a person to a role based on skill set. The uniqueness of the team at PIR International is their thoughtfulness in taking time to understand me as a person and the company’s needs and culture. Sally and Stuart were a pleasure to work with and made the entire process smooth and straightforward with a clear focus on ‘the right fit’. I’m excited to join the team and look forward to supporting Maxion as they move into the clinic.”