Aravax Appoints Dr Paul Laidler as VP Pharmaceutical Development
1 May 2024, Melbourne, Australia: Aravax, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-
generation immunotherapies which are safe, convenient, and precisely targeted, today announces the
appointment of Dr Paul Laidler (BPharm, PhD) as Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development. Dr
Laidler received both his Bachelor of Pharmacy and PhD degrees from King’s College London.
Paul brings over 25 years' pharmaceutical development experience having held several roles within large
Pharma companies including AstraZeneca and a number of pioneering biotechnology companies
including PowderJect Technologies, Chiron Vaccines, PowderMed and Circassia Pharmaceuticals. Prior to
joining the Aravax leadership team full time, Paul served as part-time consultant to the company for six
years in the role Director of Product Development. Based in Oxford, UK he also serves as head of
Aravax’s UK operations.
Aravax raised US$42m in a series B financing earlier this year, to accelerate the development of
PVX108 as an oral immunotherapy for the treatment of peanut allergy. A Phase 2 clinical study is now
underway in Australia and the USA, with readout is expected in H1 2026.
“We are thrilled that Paul has joined our team full time having worked closely with us during all stages
of clinical development of PVX108. His skills and experience will be invaluable as Aravax scales up the
manufacturing of PVX108 for late-stage clinical trials and commercial launch,” said Dr. Pascal Hickey,
CEO of Aravax, adding, “Being UK based, Paul is ideally located to maximise our partnerships with world-
leading CDMO companies and our Europe-based collaborators outside of Australia.”
Dr Paul Laidler said, “I am excited by the potential of PVX108 and our peptide immunotherapy
approach. The company has made great advances with its groundbreaking treatment which has the
potential to improve the lives of patients living with peanut allergy. PVX108 precisely targets the
underlying cause of peanut allergy, bringing benefits in safety and convenience.” READ MORE
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