89bio Appoints Francis Sarena as Chief Operating Officer
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB) has appointed Francis Sarena as Chief Operating Officer, effective August 5, 2024. This strategic move comes as the company advances its Phase 3 clinical program for pegozafermin and prepares for potential scale-up, regulatory filings, and commercialization. Sarena brings 25 years of experience in the biotech industry, including leadership roles at Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics, and PDL BioPharma.
Pegozafermin, 89bio's lead candidate, is positioned as a potentially best-in-class FGF21 therapy for MASH patients with advanced fibrosis and compensated cirrhosis, as well as for SHTG patients. The company aims to capitalize on pegozafermin's promising clinical data to address significant unmet medical needs and capture substantial market opportunities.
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB) ha nominato Francis Sarena come Chief Operating Officer, con effetto dal 5 agosto 2024. Questa mossa strategica avviene mentre l'azienda avanza nel suo programma clinico di Fase 3 per il pegozafermin e si prepara a potenziali ampliamenti, presentazioni normative e commercializzazione. Sarena porta con sé 25 anni di esperienza nel settore biotech, inclusi ruoli di leadership presso Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics e PDL BioPharma.
Il pegozafermin, il principale candidato di 89bio, è posizionato come una terapia FGF21 potenzialmente di classe superiore per i pazienti MASH con fibrosi avanzata e cirrosi compensata, così come per i pazienti SHTG. L'azienda mira a capitalizzare i promettenti dati clinici del pegozafermin per affrontare significative necessità mediche insoddisfatte e cogliere sostanziali opportunità di mercato.
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB) ha nombrado a Francis Sarena como Director de Operaciones, con efecto a partir del 5 de agosto de 2024. Este movimiento estratégico se produce mientras la empresa avanza en su programa clínico de Fase 3 para el pegozafermin y se prepara para una posible expansión, presentaciones regulatorias y comercialización. Sarena aporta 25 años de experiencia en la industria biotecnológica, incluidos roles de liderazgo en Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics y PDL BioPharma.
El pegozafermin, el candidato principal de 89bio, está posicionado como una terapia potencialmente líder en su clase FGF21 para pacientes MASH con fibrosis avanzada y cirrosis compensada, así como para pacientes SHTG. La empresa tiene como objetivo capitalizar los prometedores datos clínicos de pegozafermin para abordar significativas necesidades médicas no satisfechas y aprovechar oportunidades sustanciales en el mercado.
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB)는 Francis Sarena를 최고 운영 책임자(CEO)로 임명하여 2024년 8월 5일부터 발효됩니다. 이 전략적 결정은 회사가 페고자페르민에 대한 3상 임상 프로그램을 진행하고 잠재적인 확장 및 규제 제출, 상용화를 준비함에 따라 이루어졌습니다. Sarena는 Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics, PDL BioPharma에서의 리더십 역할을 포함하여 생명공학 산업에서 25년의 경험을 보유하고 있습니다.
89bio의 주요 후보인 페고자페르민은 고급 섬유증 및 보상성 간경화 환자 규모 MASH와 SHTG 환자를 위한 잠재적으로 최고의 FGF21 치료제로 자리 잡고 있습니다. 회사는 페고자페르민의 유망한 임상 데이터를 활용하여 중요한 의학적 필요를 충족하고 상당한 시장 기회를 포착할 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB) a nommé Francis Sarena au poste de directeur des opérations, à compter du 5 août 2024. Ce mouvement stratégique intervient alors que l'entreprise fait avancer son programme clinique de phase 3 pour le pegozafermin et se prépare à un éventuel élargissement, à des dépôts réglementaires et à la commercialisation. Sarena apporte avec lui 25 ans d'expérience dans l'industrie biopharmaceutique, ayant occupé des postes de leadership chez Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics et PDL BioPharma.
Le pegozafermin, le candidat principal de 89bio, est positionné comme une thérapie FGF21 potentiellement de référence pour les patients MASH atteints de fibrose avancée et de cirrhose compensée, ainsi que pour les patients SHTG. L'entreprise vise à tirer parti des données cliniques prometteuses du pegozafermin pour répondre à des besoins médicaux importants non satisfaits et saisir d'importantes opportunités de marché.
89bio (Nasdaq: ETNB) hat Francis Sarena zum Chief Operating Officer ernannt, wirksam ab dem 5. August 2024. Dieser strategische Schritt erfolgt, während das Unternehmen sein Phase-3-Programm für Pegozafermin vorantreibt und sich auf potenzielle Ausweitung, regulatorische Einreichungen und Kommerzialisierung vorbereitet. Sarena bringt 25 Jahre Erfahrung in der Biotechnologiebranche mit, einschließlich Führungspositionen bei Apexigen, Five Prime Therapeutics und PDL BioPharma.
Pegozafermin, der Hauptkandidat von 89bio, ist als potenziell best-in-class FGF21-Therapie für MASH-Patienten mit fortgeschrittener Fibrose und kompensierter Zirrhose sowie für SHTG-Patienten positioniert. Das Unternehmen zielt darauf ab, die vielversprechenden klinischen Daten von Pegozafermin zu nutzen, um bedeutende unbefriedigte medizinische Bedürfnisse anzusprechen und erhebliche Marktchancen zu ergreifen.
- Appointment of experienced COO Francis Sarena to support company growth and potential commercialization
- Advancement of pegozafermin to Phase 3 clinical trials
- Pegozafermin shows potential as a best-in-class therapy for MASH and SHTG patients
- Promising clinical data for pegozafermin in addressing unmet medical needs
- None.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 89bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardiometabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Francis Sarena as Chief Operating Officer, effective August 5, 2024.
“We are excited to welcome Francis to our executive team at this pivotal growth phase for 89bio,” said Rohan Palekar, CEO of 89bio. “As we advance our Phase 3 clinical program for pegozafermin and prepare for scale up, Francis’ extensive strategic, operational, business development and leadership expertise will be immensely valuable. His proven track record in navigating companies through value inflections and various stages of development and growth will be instrumental as 89bio advances pegozafermin, and prepares for potential regulatory filings and commercialization. We look forward to collaborating with him to meet the urgent needs of patients, capture the substantial market opportunities ahead and plan for the potential next stages of the company’s growth.”
Mr. Sarena added, “I am honored to join the 89bio team at such a pivotal time in the company's journey. I am eager to help deliver on the promise of pegozafermin, a potentially best-in-class FGF21 that has shown impressive clinical results. Pegozafermin's robust clinical data indicate its unique potential to address the unmet needs of MASH patients with advanced fibrosis and compensated cirrhosis, where few effective treatments exist. Additionally, the possibility of pegozafermin serving as a new option for SHTG patients is highly promising. I am committed to contributing to the success of this mission and advancing the company's vision to improve the lives of patients.”
Francis Sarena is a seasoned C-suite biotech executive with 25 years of experience. Before joining 89bio, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Apexigen, Inc., where he played a key role in the company's acquisition by Pyxis Oncology, Inc. Prior to that, Francis held leadership positions at Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., serving as Chief Strategy Officer and contributing to the company's evolution from a research-focused private entity to a public development-stage company, culminating in its acquisition by Amgen, Inc. in 2021. He also held significant roles at Facet Biotech Corporation and PDL BioPharma, Inc., where he navigated complex M&A and corporate governance matters. Francis began his career in law, representing a diverse array of clients in M&A, financing transactions, and corporate governance. He holds a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BS in finance from San Francisco State University.
About 89bio
89bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of best-in-class therapies for patients with liver and cardiometabolic diseases who lack optimal treatment options. The company is in Phase 3 studies for its lead candidate, pegozafermin, for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG). Pegozafermin is a specifically engineered, potentially best-in-class fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analog with unique glycoPEGylated technology that optimizes biological activity through an extended half-life. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.89bio.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the therapeutic potential and utility, efficacy and clinical benefits of pegozafermin, the safety and tolerability profile of pegozafermin, trial designs, clinical development plans and timing for pegozafermin, including the topline results from the ENTRUST Phase 3 trial in SHTG, and enrollment in clinical trials, including enrollment of the Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis trial and Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN-Cirrhosis trial in MASH and ENTRUST Phase 3 trial in SHTG. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "objective," "intend," "should," "could," "can," "would," "expect," "believe," "design," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "anticipate," "goal," "opportunity," "develop," "plan" or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward looking statements. While 89bio believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in 89bio's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)), many of which are beyond 89bio's control and subject to change. Actual results could be materially different. Risks and uncertainties include: expectations regarding the timing and outcome of the ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis Phase 3 trial and Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN-Cirrhosis trial in MASH and ENTRUST Phase 3 trial in SHTG; 89bio's ability to execute on its strategy; positive results from a clinical study may not necessarily be predictive of the results of future or ongoing clinical studies; 89bio's substantial dependence on the success of it lead product candidate; competition from competing products; the impact of general economic, health, industrial or political conditions in the United States or internationally; the sufficiency of 89bio's capital resources and its ability to raise additional capital; and other risks and uncertainties identified in 89bio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and other subsequent disclosure documents filed with the SEC. 89bio claims the protection of the Safe Harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. 89bio expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor Contact:
Annie Chang
89bio, Inc.
annie.chang@89bio.com
PJ Kelleher
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+1-617-430-7579
pkelleher@lifesciadvisors.com
Media Contact:
Sheryl Seapy
Real Chemistry
sseapy@realchemistry.com
FAQ
Who is the new Chief Operating Officer of 89bio (ETNB)?
What is the current stage of pegozafermin's development at 89bio (ETNB)?
What medical conditions is 89bio (ETNB) targeting with pegozafermin?
What is Francis Sarena's background before joining 89bio (ETNB)?
