Canadian biotechnology firm Defence Therapeutics Inc. has named Dr Amie Phinney as its President and Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment taking effect on 1 August 2026.
Dr Phinney succeeds founder Sébastien Plouffe, who steps into the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr Plouffe will focus on capital markets, financing, governance and long-term corporate partnerships while continuing to guide corporate strategy.
The management shift follows Dr Phinney’s work with the firm since July 2025, when she joined as Strategy & Business Advisor before being named to the Board of Directors in September 2025. Defence Therapeutics develops precision oncology treatments using its proprietary Accum technology to improve intracellular drug delivery.
“Over the past year, Amie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to Defence’s mission,” said Sébastien Plouffe, Executive Chairman of Defence Therapeutics. “She has played an instrumental role in refining our corporate strategy, expanding our scientific and commercial vision, building the foundation for new strategic partnerships, and positioning Defence for its next phase of growth. The Board is confident that she is the right leader to guide the Company as we accelerate the development of the Accum® platform, expand our therapeutic pipeline, and pursue strategic partnerships.”
Dr Phinney holds a PhD in Biomedical Research from the University of Basel and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. She previously held strategic roles at Abbott and AbbVie in Chicago, served as Chief Scientific Officer at Lakeside Discovery, worked as Senior Director of Partnerships at adMare BioInnovations and co-founded Block Biosciences.
“I am honoured to be taking on the leadership of Defence Therapeutics at this exciting period of growth for the Company. Defence has built a differentiated technology platform with the potential to transform the delivery of complex biologics and targeted therapeutics. I look forward to working alongside our outstanding scientific team, Board of Directors, partners, and shareholders to accelerate the development of our pipeline, expand the applications of the Accum® platform, and position Defence as a global leader in precision intracellular drug delivery,” said Dr Phinney.
“This transition reflects the natural evolution of Defence Therapeutics,” added Mr Plouffe. “I remain deeply committed to the Company and look forward to supporting Amie and the management team as we execute on the tremendous opportunities ahead.”
Under the new executive leadership, the company will focus on applying the Accum platform to antibody-drug conjugates and radiotherapeutics. Alongside the leadership changes, Defence granted 600,000 incentive stock options under its omnibus plan, including 200,000 options to Dr Phinney, 200,000 to an employee and 200,000 to the Executive Chairman.
