Immunocore, an immunotherapy-focused UK biotech company, has named Bahija Jallal as its new chief executive and director, it was reported yesterday.

Jallal has more than 25 years of international leadership experience within the pharmaceutical industry, and joins Immunocore from AstraZeneca, where she has served as president of MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, and a member of the senior executive team reporting to the CEO. Since joining MedImmune in 2006, she has managed the development of several new medicines, including Imfinzi, Fasenra, Lumoxiti, Siliq and FluMist Quadrivalent. Under Jallal's leadership, it is claimed that MedImmune significantly increased its pipeline, expanding from 40 to more than 130 molecules in research and development targeting cancer; respiratory, inflammation, and autoimmunity; cardiovascular, renal and metabolic; and infectious diseases.

Jallal will succeed Andrew Hotchkiss, who has served as interim CEO after Eliot Forster left the company to head up cancer disrupter F Star last year.