Kansas City, USA, April 17, 2024 – Likarda, a leading biotech company specializing in the development of enabling technologies for the delivery of both cell therapies and large molecule biologics, today announces the appointment of Shelly Adams as Chief Commercial Officer. Shelly joins Likarda from Erbi Biosystems, part of Millipore Sigma, where she served as Vice President of Sales. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving all commercial decisions, building world class sales and marketing teams, and delivering accelerated revenue growth at Likarda.
Shelly brings with her strong industry experience in cell culture, and bringing molecules from discovery through clinical trials to launch. She has over 25 years of global sales and management experience, and over 15 years of marketing experience, during her career within the biotechnology, cell therapy, diagnostics, medical device and technical services industries. Shelly’s entrepreneurial spirit has made her an agent of change within her previous roles, where her passion for building companies has been pivotal in roles at CDMOs such as Gallus BioPharmaceuticals, Avecia Biologics and Abzena.
“Shelly’s extensive experience and proven track record in sales, marketing, and leadership across various industries is a welcome addition to the Likarda leadership team,” says Stella Vnook, CEO, Likarda. “Her passion for innovation and building strong industry relationships aligns perfectly with Likarda’s mission to revolutionize biotechnology, and we’re excited to embark on this journey together.”
Likarda’s President, Lisa Stehno-Bittel, echoes the excitement around Shelly’s addition to the team. “From the first time that the team met Shelly, we knew she would be the perfect person to take our message forward.”
“I am very excited to be involved with such a talented team at a pivotal time of its journey, and at the ‘ground level’ in commercializing Likarda’s potentially disruptive Core-Shell Spherification technology for small molecules, biologics and especially cell therapies,” says Adams. “With applications ranging from improving logistics by increasing stability during transportation, to providing targeted delivery with tuneable release profile for cell therapy, biologics and small molecule carriers, we have the opportunity to build a company that could meaningfully impact a very broad area of life sciences.”
About Likarda
Likarda is enabling the delivery of both cell therapies and large molecule biologics, with a platform technology that will expand the potential of these life-changing medicines to more people with more chronic or life-threatening diseases. At the heart of Likarda’s innovation is Core-Shell Spherification® (CSS®), a customizable polymer delivery system that protects and locks therapeutics in place where they are needed, such as the tumor microenvironment or site of organ degeneration. For more insights, visit Likarda.com.