Pharmaceutical Market Europe • January 2026 • 37
APPOINTMENTS
Hansa Biopharma
Max Sakajja
Hansa Biopharma has appointed Max Sakajja as Vice President, General Manager Europe and International. Sakajja joined Hansa in 2017 and has held multiple senior roles across corporate strategy, including Vice President International Markets. He led Hansa’s alliances in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and established the company’s presence in Australia. Prior to joining Hansa, Sakajja held the role of Global Product and Service Development Manager at Envirotainer. Other roles include Mergers & Acquisitions Director at Sobi and Founder and Partner at Enzymus.
In his new role, Sakajja will lead Hansa’s Commercial and Medical Affairs organisation. His appointment is part of Hansa’s reorganisation of its European and International Commercial and Medical Affairs operations.
Kyowa Kirin
Julie Dehaene-Puype
Kyowa Kirin has appointed Julie Dehaene-Puype as President of the International Region. Dehaene-Puype brings more than 25 years of global pharmaceutical experience to the role. Her previous positions include Chief Commercial Officer, Europe/Canada at Mundipharma and General Manager, France at Takeda. She is also currently Non-Executive Director at Lytix Biopharma.
PureTech Health
Robert Lyne
PureTech Health has appointed Robert Lyne as CEO. Lyne joined PureTech in 2024 as Chief Portfolio Officer and has served as interim CEO of the company since 2025. His senior leadership experience includes multiple roles at Arix Bioscience, including Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel and later CEO.
Topadur Pharma
Matthias Schäfer
Topadur Pharma has appointed Matthias Schäfer as CEO. Schäfer brings more than two decades of life sciences and healthcare experience to the role: he joined Topadur in 2024 as Chief Innovation Officer and Deputy CEO, and has previously held senior leadership roles at Geistlich Pharma and pfm medical.
NanoSyrinx
Thomas J Farrell
NanoSyrinx has appointed Thomas J Farrell as CEO. Farrell was previously President of Oricell Therapeutics, during which time he led the launches of multiple US clinical trials. He has served as interim CEO for a variety of cell and gene therapy companies, and was founder and CEO of Artiva Biotherapeutics and Bellicum Pharmaceuticals.
Eleva
Erich Rajkovic
Eleva has appointed Erich Rajkovic as Chief Business Officer. He was previously Vice President Business Development at Eleva. Prior to this, he spent almost two decades at Affimed, in roles including Senior Programme Director/ Programme Head and Vice President Business Development, negotiating and closing multiple strategic partnerships.
Slingshot Therapeutics
Bobby Soni
Slingshot Therapeutics has appointed Bobby Soni as Chief Business Officer (CBO). Soni was most recently Chief International Officer at BioInnovation Institute, where he also previously held the role of CBO. Other roles include Board Observer at Breye Therapeutics and Twelve Bio, as well as Non-Executive Director of STORM Therapeutics.
BICO
Jesper Hagberg
BICO has appointed Jesper Hagberg as Chief Operations & Digital Officer. Hagberg was most recently Programme Director at FLSmidth. He also held multiple roles at Jula, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Digital Officer and Head of Project Management Office. Additionally, Hagberg was formerly Global Head of Operational Excellence at Clariant.
Linus Health
Julie Wood
Linus Health has appointed Julie Wood as Senior Medical Director, Clinician Engagement. Before joining Linus, Wood held the role of Senior Vice President for Science and Clinical Strategy at the American Academy of Family Physicians. She also brings almost two decades of experience as a family doctor to the role.
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