A double graduate in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Navarra, he takes over from Juan Carlos Antigüedad at the head of the Basque biotech company, which specializes in the development of new medical devices based on biodegradable polymers.
Pablo Fernández has experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector after working for companies such as EY and Almirall.
His incorporation comes at a key moment for Polimerbio, which is working on the preclinical phase for the launch of its first product: a biodegradable urological tube indicated for urethral stricture that would avoid a second operation and reduce hospitalization times and costs.
Pablo Fernández Echeverría has been appointed new CEO of Polimerbio taking over from Juan Carlos Antigüedad, who is retiring after remaining at the helm of the biotech company since its incorporation in 2017 as a spin off of the Group in Science and Engineering of Polymeric Biomaterials (ZIBIO Group), linked to the University of the Basque Country and integrated since 2012 in POLYMAT.
Polimerbio’s new CEO underlines the importance of the work developed by the company in just over four years. “From the beginning I was very attracted to the concept of Polimerbio, both its technology, the value proposition, the ecosystem of partners they have and, of course, the team. All this,” he adds, “together with their clear vocation to help patients by developing new medical devices based on biodegradable polymers have been key factors that have encouraged me to take on this new professional challenge”.
In his opinion, the moment Polimerbio is going through is “crucial and exciting”, underlining that the decisions being made will be key to the company’s future. “As a start-up focused on the healthcare/Medtech field, it is crucial to hit the right key when you are launching your first product, as this will have a direct impact on your future viability,” he reminds.
Polimerbio is working on the launch of its first product, a biodegradable urological tube for urethral stricture, and is finalizing the preclinical phase. The company expects to start clinical trials before the end of the year and to be ready for commercialization in late 2023 or early 2024.
In this regard, Pablo Fernández emphasizes that “our ambition goes beyond this”, and reports that Polimerbio is working intensively on the definition of its R&D strategy for the medium and long term, “with the clear vocation to continue providing disruptive solutions for patients in the field of medical devices using our technology and know-how”.
Given this horizon, taking into account his academic background and business vision accumulated in recent years in the pharmaceutical company, the incorporation of Pablo Fernández Echeverría will help Polimerbio to take a step forward in the aforementioned moment of market launch and commercialization. “I hope to be able to live up to the team and to be able to pass on to them everything I have learned,” concludes the newly appointed CEO of the company.
Resume Pablo Fernández Echeverría
Double degree in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Navarra (2012) and Master in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (2013). In 2013 he began his professional life as a consultant for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector at EY. During his time at the company he provides strategic advice to different companies in the sector in terms of market access, definition of pricing and reimbursement models, competitive analysis, simulation of new business models, etc.
In 2017 he started a new stage in Almirall, working as a business intelligence consultant, supporting different brands of the company in competitive intelligence, data analytics and market research. In parallel, he collaborates with the M&A and Business Development departments in strategically evaluating different business expansion opportunities. In early 2022, he joins Polimerbio as CEO.
