Cynvenio Biosystems Inc. has hired Dr. Paul Song as chief medical officer to oversee the company’s clinical research program. The Westlake Village biotech makes a system called LiquidBiopsy that isolates rare tumor cells floating in the bloodstream of cancer patients. Doctors can analyze the cells and thus avoid a conventional biopsy that obtains a piece of the tumor through surgery. For now, the Food and Drug Administration only allows the system at cancer research facilities, but Cynvenio hopes to expand the market, and more clinical trials could help realize that goal. In his new position, Song will be responsible for global clinical trials and the selection of institutional partners. He will also coordinate global activities with partners abroad, especially in Europe and China. Song is on the faculty at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in the Samuel Oschin Cancer Center. He also serves as chief medical officer at AT-Gen Co. Ltd, a manufacturer of recombinant proteins headquartered in South Korea with U.S. offices in Valencia. “Paul’s proven ability to tackle difficult medical, scientific and technology problems, together with his hands-on success treating patients as a radiation-oncologist at Cedars Sinai for many years, make him an excellent fit for the role of our first CMO,” André de Fusco, Cynvenio’s chief executive, said in a statement.
