18 January 2018 - - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador-based biotechnology company Sequence Bio has named Dr. Michael S. Phillips as chief scientific officer, the company said.
Phillips will lead all scientific development projects and genomic and precision medicine research for Sequence Bio as the company prepares for a period of rapid expansion and growth in its operations.
His work will focus on deep and complete multi-omic and longitudinal health information in disease-specific cohorts and the NL Genome Project, a proposed large-scale genome sequencing project in the Newfoundland and Labrador genetic isolate founder population to drive novel therapeutic discovery and development.
Phillips has over 25 years of experience in large-scale genomic projects, drug target discovery and leading research teams, most recently as VP Genomics at Genomics Medicine Ireland.
Phillips has led large research groups in academia, biotech, pharma and hospital settings for drug target discovery, biomarker research, clinical diagnostics, and technology development.
His previous positions include roles at Merck and Co., Orchid BioSciences, Génome Québec, Université de Montréal, Montreal Heart Institute and Centre Hospitalier de L'Université de Montréal Research Centre.
In his most recent role as VP Genomics at Genomics Medicine Ireland, Phillips was responsible for developing a state of the art clinical genomics laboratory, building highly skilled teams and contributing to the company's scientific direction.
Sequence Bio takes a unique participant-centric approach to its research and discovery efforts by aiming to return findings to participants and better the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the people and communities within.