Ronald Peck has been appointed chief medical officer of New Haven, CT-based Arvinas (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARVN]]). Peck most recently worked at cancer drug developer Tesaro where he was senior vice president of clinical research. His experience also includes posts at Kolltan Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]). Arvinas is developing drugs based on protein degradation, a … Continue reading “Arvinas Appoints Ronald Peck Chief Medical Officer”
Author: Frank Vinluan
Xconomy Editor Frank Vinluan is a business journalist with experience covering technology and life sciences. Based in Raleigh, he was a staff writer at the Triangle Business Journal covering technology, biotechnology and energy before joining MedCityNews.com as North Carolina bureau chief. Prior to moving to North Carolina’s Research Triangle in 2007 he held business reporting positions at The Des Moines Register and The Seattle Times.
Upjohn & Mylan to Merge, Freeing Pfizer to Focus on Biopharma R&D
Pfizer became the world’s biggest drug maker by revenue through acquisitions that diversified its portfolio. Now it’s spinning out its off-patent drug division and charting a different course for the remaining company as a smaller business focused on developing innovative new drugs. On Monday, Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) announced that its Upjohn division, which sells drugs … Continue reading “Upjohn & Mylan to Merge, Freeing Pfizer to Focus on Biopharma R&D”
Xconomy’s August San Francisco Event to Focus on Genomics and Health
In both health and disease, our genes have stories to tell. Two decades since the first draft of a human genome sequence, we’re starting to read them. On Aug. 27, Xconomy and Biocom will hold “Turning Genomics Into Better Health,” an event that will delve into the promise and perils of tapping into the secrets … Continue reading “Xconomy’s August San Francisco Event to Focus on Genomics and Health”
Verb Surgical Taps Kurt Azarbarzin for CEO Role
Surgical robot developer Verb Surgical has appointed Kurt Azarbarzin to serve as its new CEO. He joins Mountain View, CA-based Verb from CONMED, where he was chief technology officer. Azarbarzin’s experience also includes senior roles at SurgiQuest, Tyco Healthcare, and Covidien. Azarbarzin succeeds former Verb CEO Scott Huennekens, who left the company at the end … Continue reading “Verb Surgical Taps Kurt Azarbarzin for CEO Role”
Obsidian Appoints Stehman-Breen Chief Development Officer
Catherine Stehman-Breen is joining Obsidian Therapeutics as chief development officer. She was most recently an entrepreneur in residence at Atlas Venture, where she held the chief medical officer positions at Dyne Therapeutics and Disarm Therapeutics, two of the venture capital firm’s portfolio companies. Stehman-Breen’s experience also includes posts at Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SRPT]]), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals … Continue reading “Obsidian Appoints Stehman-Breen Chief Development Officer”
As Castle Bio Jumps on IPO Train, Industry Trends Suggest Slowdown
Castle Biosciences is joining the public markets through a $64 million IPO that will support cancer tests that help doctors make treatment decisions. On Wednesday evening, Castle priced its offering of 4 million shares at $16 apiece, which was the high end of its targeted price range. The Friendswood, TX, company had previously planned to … Continue reading “As Castle Bio Jumps on IPO Train, Industry Trends Suggest Slowdown”
TScan Lands $48M for Better, Safer T-Cell Receptor Cancer Therapies
Despite the progress of therapies that coax the immune system to fight cancer, these treatments don’t work for all patients. When they are effective, some patients experience serious side effects. TScan Therapeutics CEO David Southwell says his company aims to improve cancer immunotherapy on both fronts. TScan’s research is still in the lab, but the … Continue reading “TScan Lands $48M for Better, Safer T-Cell Receptor Cancer Therapies”
Proteostasis Names Gilmartin Chief Medical Officer, Succeeding Lee
Geoffrey Gilmartin is taking on a new role at Proteostasis Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTI]]) as its chief medical officer. He will succeed Po-Shun Lee, who will become a consultant to the Boston-based cystic fibrosis (CF) drug developer after serving in the CMO role for the past four years. Gilmartin joined Proteostasis in 2016 as chief development … Continue reading “Proteostasis Names Gilmartin Chief Medical Officer, Succeeding Lee”
Former Enzyvant Exec Alvin Shih Named CEO of Disarm Therapeutics
Disarm Therapeutics has appointed Alvin Shih to serve as its president and CEO. He was most recently CEO of rare disease drug developer Enzyvant. Shih’s experience also includes posts at Retrophin (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RTRX]]) and Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]). Cambridge, MA-based Disarm is developing drugs that target SARM1, a protein that plays a role in nerve deterioration in … Continue reading “Former Enzyvant Exec Alvin Shih Named CEO of Disarm Therapeutics”
Joyn Bio Reaches Deal to Tap Into NewLeaf’s Plant Microbe Library
Joyn Bio, a biotech company developing microbes engineered for agricultural applications, is adding microbes from NewLeaf Symbiotics to its toolbox in an effort to get to market faster and expand the scope of its research. The partnership announced Monday gives Joyn access to NewLeaf’s library of plant-colonizing microbes. Joyn, which is based in Boston and … Continue reading “Joyn Bio Reaches Deal to Tap Into NewLeaf’s Plant Microbe Library”
Iovance Bio Taps Roche’s Graf Finckenstein for Chief Medical Officer
Iovance Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IOVA]]) has appointed Graf Finckenstein to serve as its chief medical officer. Finckenstein comes to the San Carlos, CA, cancer drug developer from Roche, where he was global head of oncology translational medicine. His experience also includes positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]). Iovance, which is developing a type of cancer treatment … Continue reading “Iovance Bio Taps Roche’s Graf Finckenstein for Chief Medical Officer”
Bio Roundup: Opioid Exposé, Gilead’s Gambit, Life Science IPOs & More
The opioid crisis reaches all corners of the nation, and newly released data this week revealed how the growth of the epidemic tracked with a massive increase in the production and distribution of these drugs. From 2006 to 2012, the number of pills distributed to pharmacies increased by more than 50 percent. In total, 76 … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Opioid Exposé, Gilead’s Gambit, Life Science IPOs & More”
Kronos Bio Reels In $105M for Drugs That Hit “Undruggable” Targets
Kronos Bio has raised $105 million in financing to develop therapies intended to target disease-causing proteins that have so far eluded the best efforts of drug hunters. The Series A round of funding announced Thursday was led by Vida Ventures and Omega Funds. Drugs typically work by either binding to a target site on a … Continue reading “Kronos Bio Reels In $105M for Drugs That Hit “Undruggable” Targets”
Genmab, Mirum Pharma & Fulcrum Raise $653M in Wall Street Debuts
Initial public offerings took a brief summer break the week of Independence Day, but healthcare IPO activity resumed this week as three more companies joined the US public markets. Here’s a recap of the biotech companies that priced IPOs Wednesday evening. —Genmab is different from the other life science companies that joined the public markets … Continue reading “Genmab, Mirum Pharma & Fulcrum Raise $653M in Wall Street Debuts”
Pandion Therapeutics Picks Corvidia’s Rahul Kakkar for CEO
Rahul Kakkar is the new CEO of Pandion Therapeutics. He has also joined the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Kakkar was most recently chief medical officer and chief strategy officer of Corvidia Therapeutics. He succeeds Pandion founder Anthony Coyle, who is leaving the company. In other moves, Jo Viney, a founder and chief scientific … Continue reading “Pandion Therapeutics Picks Corvidia’s Rahul Kakkar for CEO”
Immusoft Taps Phylogica’s Robert Hayes as Chief Scientific Officer
Robert Hayes has been appointed chief scientific officer of Seattle-based Immusoft. Hayes joins the cell therapy developer from Phylogica, where he was chief scientific officer for the past two years. His experience also includes positions at Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: [[ticker:JNJ]]). Immusoft, which is developing therapies based on modifying a patient’s … Continue reading “Immusoft Taps Phylogica’s Robert Hayes as Chief Scientific Officer”
Gilead Chief Scientific Officer McHutchison and Two More to Depart
John McHutchison, chief scientific officer and head of research and development at Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), is leaving next month, the Foster City, CA, company announced Wednesday. Gilead gave no reason for McHutchison’s decision to depart other than to say it was voluntary. McHutchison joined Gilead in 2010 and was appointed CSO in 2018, succeeding … Continue reading “Gilead Chief Scientific Officer McHutchison and Two More to Depart”
Navitor Pharmaceuticals Names Randy Owen Chief Medical Officer
Navitor Pharmaceuticals has appointed James Randall “Randy” Owen to serve as its chief medical officer, the same position he held at Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Owen’s experience also includes roles at Lundbeck, Abbott (NYSE: [[ticker:ABT]]), Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]), and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]). Cambridge, MA-based Navitor is developing drugs that target a cellular signaling pathway known as … Continue reading “Navitor Pharmaceuticals Names Randy Owen Chief Medical Officer”
Skyhawk Inks Deal With Genentech for Cancer and Neuro Drug Discovery
Skyhawk Therapeutics has added Genentech to the growing list of companies it’s working with to find new drugs. The deal with Genentech, a Roche subsidiary, calls for Cambridge, MA-based Skyhawk to use its technology to discover and develop RNA-targeting drugs for cancer and neurological diseases. Under the deal announced Tuesday, Genentech receives an exclusive license … Continue reading “Skyhawk Inks Deal With Genentech for Cancer and Neuro Drug Discovery”
Kymera CEO Laurent Audoly Departs, Nelllo Mainolfi Named President
Laurent Audoly, president and CEO of Kymera Therapeutics, is leaving “to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities,” the Cambridge, MA, company announced Monday. Co-founder and chief scientific officer Nello Mainolfi has been appointed president, overseeing all company operations. He will also continue as CSO. Kymera said a search for a new CEO is underway. In other moves, … Continue reading “Kymera CEO Laurent Audoly Departs, Nelllo Mainolfi Named President”
Sanofi’s Alison Schecter Tapped as Selecta Bio Chief Medical Officer
Selecta Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SELB]]) has appointed Alison Schecter to serve as chief medical officer. Schecter joins Watertown, MA-based Selecta from Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]) where she was global project head in rare diseases. Her experience also includes positions at Baxalta, the Northeast J&J Innovation Center, and the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research. Lead Selecta drug candidate … Continue reading “Sanofi’s Alison Schecter Tapped as Selecta Bio Chief Medical Officer”
Athira Taps Alder Ex-Alder Bio Exec Litton as Chief Operating Officer
Mark Litton has been appointed chief operating officer of Seattle-based Athira Pharma. Litton is the co-founder of Alder BioPharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALDR]]), and was chief business officer at that company until last July. Athira, previously known as M3 Biotechnology, is developing treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. The company is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 1b study … Continue reading “Athira Taps Alder Ex-Alder Bio Exec Litton as Chief Operating Officer”
Amgen, Novartis BACE Inhibitor Joins List of Failed Alzheimer’s Drugs
Amgen and Novartis are stopping work on an experimental Alzheimer’s disease drug after an early look at clinical data showed worsening cognitive function in patients. The interim results announced Thursday were part of a pre-planned review of data from two pivotal clinical trials testing the drug, umibecestat. Based on that review, Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]) and … Continue reading “Amgen, Novartis BACE Inhibitor Joins List of Failed Alzheimer’s Drugs”
Tizona Therapeutics Taps Joyson Karakunnel as Chief Medical Officer
Joyson Karakunnel has been appointed senior vice president and chief medical officer of Tizona Therapeutics. Karakunnel joins South San Francisco-based Tizona from Arcus Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RCUS]]), where he was vice president and head of clinical development. Privately held Tizona is developing cancer immunotherapies. In January, the company received $105 million up front plus an equity … Continue reading “Tizona Therapeutics Taps Joyson Karakunnel as Chief Medical Officer”
Proclara’s Suzanne Bruhn Named CEO of Tiaki Therapeutics
Suzanne Bruhn has been appointed CEO and president of Tiaki Therapeutics. She is also joining the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Bruhn succeeds interim CEO Barbara Tate, who will remain on the Tiaki board. Bruhn was most recently president and CEO of Proclara Biosciences. Her experience also includes roles at Promedior, Shire, and Cytotherapeutics. … Continue reading “Proclara’s Suzanne Bruhn Named CEO of Tiaki Therapeutics”
Annexon Bio Brings On Rheos Exec Sanjay Keswani as Chief Medical Officer
Sanjay Keswani has left the president and CEO post at Rheos Medicines to become chief medical officer of Annexon Biosciences. Keswani’s experience also includes positions at Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]), and Eli Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]). In other moves, South San Francisco-based Annexon named Jennifer Lew chief financial officer and Lesley Stolz chief business officer. … Continue reading “Annexon Bio Brings On Rheos Exec Sanjay Keswani as Chief Medical Officer”
Former Merrimack Pharma Exec Richard Peters to Join Yumanity as CEO
Yumanity Therapeutics has appointed Richard Peters to serve as its CEO. He is also joining the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Peters recently resigned as president and CEO of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MACK]]), which has been selling assets in the wake of clinical trial setbacks. Prior to working at Merrimack, Peters was an executive … Continue reading “Former Merrimack Pharma Exec Richard Peters to Join Yumanity as CEO”
ORIC Pharma Names Genentech’s Lori Friedman Chief Scientific Officer
ORIC Pharmaceuticals has appointed Lori Friedman to serve as its chief scientific officer. Friedman is joining South San Francisco-based ORIC after 15 years at Roche’s Genentech unit, where she was most recently senior director of translational oncology. ORIC is developing therapies to treat drug-resistant cancers. The company’s lead program, ORIC-101, is in early-stage clinical testing.
Homology Exec Sam Rasty to Depart for CEO Job at Platelet BioGenesis
Sam Rasty, chief operating officer of Homology Medicines (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FIXX]]), is leaving to join Platelet BioGenesis as president and CEO. In a securities filing, Bedford, MA-based Homology said Rasty’s last day will be July 12. Before joining Homology in 2016, Rasty was vice president and head of new products at Shire. Homology, a developer of … Continue reading “Homology Exec Sam Rasty to Depart for CEO Job at Platelet BioGenesis”
Amunix Taps Five Prime’s Irving for Chief Scientific Officer Role
Bryan Irving has joined Amunix Pharmaceuticals as chief scientific officer, the same postion he held at Five Prime Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FPRX]]). Irving’s experience also includes posts at CytomX and Genentech. Mountain View, CA-based Amunix is developing protein-based therapies for cancer and other diseases.
SmartPharm Therapeutics Appoints José Trevejo CEO
José Trevejo, a co-founder and board member of SmartPharm Therapeutics, has been appointed CEO of the Cambridge, MA, company. Before joining SmartPharm, Trevejo was vice president, clinical development at Cyclerion Therapeutics, a spinout of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IRWD]]). His experience also includes posts at Visterra, Genentech, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]). SmartPharm is developing non-viral … Continue reading “SmartPharm Therapeutics Appoints José Trevejo CEO”
BridgeBio Upsizes IPO to $348M, Topping Adaptive’s Wall Street Debut
Rare disease drug developer BridgeBio is now a public company, raising $348.5 million in the biggest biotech IPO so far this year. On Wednesday night, BridgeBio priced its stock offering of 20.5 million shares at $17 each, topping the $14 to $16 per share price range it had initially targeted. The Palo Alto, CA, company … Continue reading “BridgeBio Upsizes IPO to $348M, Topping Adaptive’s Wall Street Debut”
PanTheryx Lands $50M to Use “First Milk” to Target Gut Microbiome
[Corrected, 6/28/19. See below.] There’s a reason why mothers are instructed to breastfeed their babies soon after they’re born. The milk they produce in the days after giving birth is rich in nutrients, immune cells, and antibodies. While this “first milk,” also known as colostrum, is crucial in getting newborns off to a healthy start, … Continue reading “PanTheryx Lands $50M to Use “First Milk” to Target Gut Microbiome”
Amylyx Pharma Names Patrick Yeramian Chief Medical Officer
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals has appointed Patrick Yeramian to serve as its chief medical officer. Yeramian had been a consulting medical director for Cambridge, MA-based Amylyx. His experience also includes the chief medical officer post at Viragen. In other moves, Amylyx named Margaret Olinger chief commercial officer. Olinger joins Amylyx from Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALXN]]), where she … Continue reading “Amylyx Pharma Names Patrick Yeramian Chief Medical Officer”
Ex-AstraZeneca Exec Hoefer Joins Arcus as Chief Commercial Officer
Arcus Biosciences (NYSE: [[ticker:RCUS]]) has appointed Eric Hoefer to serve as chief commercial officer. Hoefer most recently worked at AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]), where he led immune-oncology global marketing. His experience also includes posts at Roche and Genentech. Hayward, CA-based Arcus raised $120 million in an IPO last year to fund clinical development of its experimental … Continue reading “Ex-AstraZeneca Exec Hoefer Joins Arcus as Chief Commercial Officer”
Bio Roundup: Array Bio Acquired, IPO Spree, Sanofi’s Job Cuts & More
[Corrected 6/24/19, 12:08 p.m. See below.] Cancer remains one of the hottest areas for pharma deals and this week saw a big one: Pfizer’s proposed $11.4 billion buyout of Array Biopharma. The announcement comes less than a month after Boulder, CO-based Array announced positive data from a pivotal study of its combination drug in colorectal … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Array Bio Acquired, IPO Spree, Sanofi’s Job Cuts & More”
Ultragenyx Pharma Promotes Erik Harris to Chief Commercial Officer
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RARE]]) has promoted Erik Harris to executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Harris joined the Novato, CA-based rare disease drugs developer in 2017 as senior vice president, head of North American commercial operations. His experience also includes posts at Crescendo Bioscience and Intermune. Last year, Ultragenyx won FDA approval for burosumab … Continue reading “Ultragenyx Pharma Promotes Erik Harris to Chief Commercial Officer”
Verastem CEO Forrester Steps Down, Paterson Appointed President
Robert Forrester, president and CEO of Verastem (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VSTM]]) since 2013, has stepped down. The Needham, MA, company did not give a reason for Forrester’s decision but said that he would continue in an advisory role. Dan Paterson, chief operating officer of the cancer drug developer since 2014, has been appointed president in addition to … Continue reading “Verastem CEO Forrester Steps Down, Paterson Appointed President”
Four More Through the IPO Door as Life Science Firms Raise $465M
It’s been a strong year for biotech IPOs and Wednesday shaped up to be a particularly busy day as four life science firms debuted on the public markets. So far this year, 72 companies have gone public, according to IPO research firm Renaissance Capital. That total is down 20 percent compared to the same period … Continue reading “Four More Through the IPO Door as Life Science Firms Raise $465M”
With $45M Nurix Deal, Gilead Enters Crowded Protein Degradation Field
Gilead Sciences is turning to Nurix Therapeutics in an effort to discover new drugs that harness the cellular machinery our bodies use to dispose of damaged or harmful proteins. Foster City, CA-based Gilead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]) will pay Nurix $45 million up front to kickstart the alliance, through which the companies aim to develop drugs for … Continue reading “With $45M Nurix Deal, Gilead Enters Crowded Protein Degradation Field”
Stoke Therapeutics Upsizes IPO, Raises $142M for Dravet Drug R&D
Stoke Therapeutics is the latest biotech company to debut on Wall Street, raising $142 million to test an experimental therapy for a rare form of epilepsy. Stoke does not yet have any human data to show investors, but the Bedford, MA, company was still able to sell more shares than it planned—and at a higher … Continue reading “Stoke Therapeutics Upsizes IPO, Raises $142M for Dravet Drug R&D”
Maze Therapeutics Promotes Jason Coloma to CEO
Jason Coloma has been promoted to CEO of Maze Therapeutics. Coloma was the chief operating officer for the San Francisco company. He succeeds interim CEO Charles Homcy, who will become Maze’s chairman. Coloma came to Maze from venture capital firm Third Rock Ventures. His experience also includes posts at Roche, L.E.K. Consulting, Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), … Continue reading “Maze Therapeutics Promotes Jason Coloma to CEO”
Invitae Offers $55M for Singular Bio to Expand Prenatal Test Business
Invitae, a maker of a wide array of low-cost genetic medical tests, has reached a deal to acquire Singular Bio to expand its ability to screen babies for disease during the early months of pregnancy. Invitae (NYSE: [[ticker:NVTA]]) said Monday it will pay $55 million in cash and stock to acquire privately held Singular Bio. … Continue reading “Invitae Offers $55M for Singular Bio to Expand Prenatal Test Business”
Unum Therapeutics Appoints Jessica Sachs Chief Medical Officer
Unum Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:UNRX]]) has promoted Jessica Sachs to chief medical officer. Sachs has served as vice president of clinical sciences at the Cambridge, MA, drug developer since 2017. Her experience also includes positions at Takeda Pharmaceutical (NYSE: [[ticker:TAK]]). Sachs, who will start her new role on July 15, is succeeding Michael Vasoncelles, who has left … Continue reading “Unum Therapeutics Appoints Jessica Sachs Chief Medical Officer”
Flatiron Taps Vasoncelles of Unum Therapeutics for Chief Medical Officer
Michael Vasoncelles has joined Flatiron Health as chief medical officer, the same position he held at Unum Therapeutics. Vasoncelles’ experience also includes posts at Takeda Pharmaceutical (NYSE: [[ticker:TAK]]), Genzyme, and Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]). At New York-based Flatiron, Vasoncelles will succeed Amy Abernethy, who left earlier this year to join the FDA as principal deputy commissioner. … Continue reading “Flatiron Taps Vasoncelles of Unum Therapeutics for Chief Medical Officer”
Bluebird Bio Sets $1.8M Price on Gene Therapy for Rare Blood Disease
[Updated 3:19 p.m.] The latest price tag for a gene therapy, a treatment meant to provide a long-lasting effect with a single dose, is now set. The treatment, Zynteglo, developed for the rare blood disease beta thalassemia, will cost roughly $1.8 million. Bluebird Bio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BLUE]]), which just won approval of Zynteglo in Europe two … Continue reading “Bluebird Bio Sets $1.8M Price on Gene Therapy for Rare Blood Disease”
Akrevia Taps Joseph Farmer for Chief Operating Officer Post
Joseph Farmer has been appointed chief operating officer of Akrevia Therapeutics. Farmer comes to Cambridge, MA-based Akrevia from Tesaro, a cancer drug developer that was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]) earlier this year. His experience also includes posts at Cubist Pharmaceuticals and AMAG Pharmaceuticals. Akrevia launched last year with a $30 million Series A round … Continue reading “Akrevia Taps Joseph Farmer for Chief Operating Officer Post”
Ex-Dermavant Exec Jassie Joins eGenesis as Chief Business Officer
Ariel Jassie has been appointed chief business officer and general counsel of eGenesis. Jassie most recently worked at Dermavant Sciences, where he was chief business and strategy officer. His experience also includes posts at Codiak Biosciences and Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]). Cambridge, MA-based eGenesis is researching applications of the CRISPR gene-editing technology to make pig organs … Continue reading “Ex-Dermavant Exec Jassie Joins eGenesis as Chief Business Officer”
Synlogic Lands $80M from Ginkgo to Ramp Up “Living Medicines” R&D
[Updated 10:42 a.m., see below.] Synlogic, a developer of so-called “living medicines” comprised of engineered bacteria, is teaming up with synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks in an effort to advance drug candidates to human testing more quickly. Under an agreement announced Wednesday, Cambridge, MA-based Synlogic (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SYBX]]) will use Ginkgo’s technology to design and test … Continue reading “Synlogic Lands $80M from Ginkgo to Ramp Up “Living Medicines” R&D”
Celsius Therapeutics Appoints Tariq Kassum President & CEO
Tariq Kassum has been appointed president and CEO of Celsius Therapeutics. He succeeds interim CEO Alexis Borisy, who will remain chairman of the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Kassum joins Celsius from Obsidian Therapeutics, where he was chief operating officer and head of corporate development. His experience also includes posts at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and … Continue reading “Celsius Therapeutics Appoints Tariq Kassum President & CEO”