Barry Clinch, Ph.D., is an independent consultant who works with both pharma and biotech clients advising on all aspects of clinical development strategy in the infectious disease space.
Initially, Dr. Clinch trained as a microbiologist and virologist graduating with a 1st class honors degree in microbiology from University College Cork in Ireland before pursuing a Ph.D. in molecular virology at the Institute for Animal Health in Berkshire, United Kingdom, a part of the precursor body to today’s Pirbright Institute.
After completing his Ph.D., he joined the pharmaceutical industry and spent his first years in industry working mainly in phase 1 and 2 clinical development and across a range of therapeutic areas. In 2006, he joined Roche’s late-stage development organization focusing exclusively on infectious disease.
Starting out on a program for an MVA-based therapeutic vaccine for HPV induced CIN2/3, Dr. Clinch took on roles of increasing responsibility. He spent several years as Global Development Leader, leading several label extensions (e.g., use in infants). He played a key part in developing the partnership with Shionogi which led to the global filing and approval of a high-profile influenza antiviral. He then took on the role of Global Head, Infectious Diseases, leading clinical science activities to support antiviral development, including filing and life-cycle management. He also worked closely with early development on opportunities including therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for influenza, novel antibiotics for gram-negative infections, and with the partnering organizations evaluating external opportunities.
Like many who work in flu clinical development, in 2020 came an unexpected opportunity to add coronavirus expertise. He helped to shape the company’s pharma strategy in response to the pandemic and grew the infectious disease team further to support global filing activities for mAbs in partnership with Regeneron and global clinical development of a small molecule DAA in partnership with Atea.