Client: Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC)
Gainesville, Florida

Position: Chief Medical Officer
An emerging venture-capital funded biotech company developing a novel gene-therapy product, AGTC had reached a critical milestone and was in the midst of clinical trials. The company needed a top-notch Chief Medical Officer with experience in gene therapy and strengths in collaboration and clinical procedures. Prior to retaining KFA, AGTC had hired another search firm who had struggled with the assignment and therefore, the position had been vacant for close to a year. At that time, the CEO was convinced that they "would never find the right person."

Because gene therapy is a small, albeit growing, industry, AGTC recognized that physicians with commercial experience in this area were scarce. In addition, the company's presence in Florida was not consistent with established biotech hub locations. As a result, the KFA team recommended that AGTC consider physicians with experience in vaccine development which would complement gene therapy. In addition, KFA's experience in recruiting to difficult locations as well as the firm's Florida-based headquarters proved beneficial to this challenging assignment.

Results: Within 30 days of the search start date, an extremely well qualified candidate was identified and within 50 days, the candidate was introduced to AGTC. After several trips to Gainesville and due diligence were completed by both parties, the new Chief Medical Officer accepted the position and relocated to Florida from Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

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"K. Fehling & Associates has been instrumental in our efforts to advance our company. The Chief Medical Officer candidate Kathy recruited for us proved to be an extremely qualified, capable, and competent individual who has done some incredible work and led us through some very challenging times. If we did not have this caliber of person on our team, AGTC would not be where we are today. We have worked with other search firms but few are as customer-service oriented and focused as K. Fehling's team. They leave no stone unturned and are very effective in completing assignments on time. The K. Fehling team has made a huge difference in our company and are a true partner in selling our company, services, and location."

- Sue Washer
President & CEO
AGTC