Sequence Bio appoints Dr. Michael S. Phillips as Chief Scientific Officer to lead genomic research and drug discovery projects.

January 16, 2018

sequence bio appoints dr. michael s. phillips as chief scientific officer to lead genomic research and drug discovery projects.

Genomics expert Dr. Phillips will lead Sequence Bio’s scientific efforts to understand and cure diseases using genomic and longitudinal health data from - and for the benefit of - the Newfoundland and Labrador population.

Sequence Bio, an emerging data-driven biotechnology company in Newfoundland and Labrador, announced the appointment of Dr. Michael S. Phillips as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Phillips is armed with over 25 years of experience in large-scale genomic projects, drug target discovery and leading research teams, most recently as VP Genomics at Genomics Medicine Ireland.

Dr. Phillips has extensive expertise leading large research groups in Academia, Biotech, Pharma and Hospital settings for drug target discovery, biomarker research, clinical diagnostics, and technology development. His positions include roles at Merck & Co., Orchid BioSciences, Génome Québec, Université de Montréal, Montreal Heart Institute and Centre Hospitalier de L’Université de Montréal (CHUM) Research Centre. In his most recent role as VP Genomics at Genomics Medicine Ireland, Dr. Phillips was responsible for developing a state of the art clinical genomics laboratory, building highly skilled teams and contributing to the company’s scientific direction. He has published over 70 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals and delivered hundreds of international presentations on his work.

As Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Phillips will lead all scientific development projects and genomic and precision medicine research for Sequence Bio. He joins the team full-time as they prepare for a period of rapid expansion and growth in their operations. Dr. Phillips’ work will focus on deep and complete multi-omic and longitudinal health information in disease-specific cohorts and the NL Genome Project - a proposed large-scale genome sequencing project in the Newfoundland & Labrador genetic isolate founder population to drive novel therapeutic discovery and development.

Sequence Bio takes a unique participant-centric approach to its research and discovery efforts by aiming to return findings to participants and better the province of Newfoundland & Labrador and the people and communities within. Dr. Phillips will join Dr. Gerald Mugford, Ms. Diane Power, and the rest of the team in ensuring the highest standards for participant research, privacy and ethical research behaviour are practiced and maintained.

Quotes

“I am thrilled to be returning home to Canada to join Sequence Bio, an exciting new biotech company planning to use cutting-edge genomic technology and science to identify drug targets and disease biomarkers that have the potential to directly benefit the people of Newfoundland & Labrador in a real and meaningful way.”

Dr. Michael Phillips, Chief Scientific Officer - Sequence Bio

"We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Phillips and his international expertise with population genetics research projects join the team. He recognizes Sequence Bio’s unique opportunity to innovate drug discovery and embraces our participant-centric approach to benefit the people of Newfoundland & Labrador. We’re excited to strengthen our team with Dr. Phillip's appointment."

Chris Gardner, CEO - Sequence Bio

About Sequence Bio

Sequence Bio is a biotechnology company striving to transform drug discovery by researching the one-of-a-kind genetic makeup of Newfoundland and Labrador. The company is committed to taking a participant-centric approach with a leading privacy and ethics framework that will return benefits and enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Preface/disclaimer - Sequence Bio is planning to conduct research in Newfoundland and Labrador, and doing so in an ethical and transparent way is our first priority. Our efforts require approval by the Health Research Ethics Board (HREB). The words "believe","expect","anticipate", and similar expressions, among others, generally identify our intent and/or objective to undertake research in this province and may be subject to change after HREB Review.