Fennec Pharmaceuticals, a commercial stage specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Mr. Jeff Hackman as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Board of Directors. Hackman, an accomplished industry leader with extensive commercialization and oncology expertise, will assume his role on or about August 16, 2024.
Fennec Pharmaceuticals is focused on the development and commercialization of PEDMARK® and Pedmarqsi® to reduce the risk of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in pediatric patients. PEDMARK® is the first and only therapy approved in the U.S. and Europe to reduce the risk of permanent damage from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in pediatric cancer patients.
Dr. Khalid Islam, Chairman of Fennec Pharmaceuticals, expressed confidence in Hackman’s ability to drive the company’s strategic direction and operational success. Hackman brings over 30 years of commercial leadership experience, including overseeing more than 10 product launches across various therapeutic areas and markets. His expertise in the commercialization of new therapies in oncology, particularly in the outpatient oncology community and the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population, will be invaluable in expanding the use of PEDMARK®.
Hackman’s appointment comes at a critical time as Fennec Pharmaceuticals aims to bring this much-needed treatment to oncology patients. The company’s commitment to reducing the risk of irreversible hearing loss in the oncology population has been led by Rosty Raykov, who will remain a member of the Board of Directors. Raykov’s leadership since 2009 has been instrumental in developing a therapy that can have a profound lifelong impact on patients.
Fennec Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval for PEDMARK® in September 2022 and European Commission Marketing Authorization for Pedmarqsi® in June 2023. PEDMARK® has also been granted Orphan Drug Exclusivity in the U.S. for seven years of market protection, while Pedmarqsi® has received Pediatric Use Marketing Authorization in Europe, which includes eight years plus two years of data and market protection.
With Jeff Hackman at the helm, Fennec Pharmaceuticals is poised to expand the use of PEDMARK® in community oncology and the AYA population, furthering its mission to provide effective treatment options for pediatric cancer patients at risk of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.