Foghorn Therapeutics Appoints Michael LaCascia as Chief Legal Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FHTX) announced the appointment of Michael LaCascia as its Chief Legal Officer. LaCascia brings extensive experience in corporate and governance matters from his prior positions at Q-State Biosciences and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. His expertise is expected to bolster Foghorn's leadership as it transitions to a clinical-stage company, focusing on developing innovative medicines targeting chromatin regulatory systems. The company anticipates filing an IND for its first oncology program later this year.

Positive

• Michael LaCascia's appointment as Chief Legal Officer adds significant legal and governance expertise.
• The leadership transition could strengthen Foghorn's position as a clinical-stage company with high-value programs.

Negative

• None.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FHTX), a company pioneering the discovery and development of a new class of medicines targeting genetically determined dependencies within the chromatin regulatory system, today announced the appointment of Michael LaCascia as its Chief Legal Officer. An accomplished attorney, Mr. LaCascia joins Foghorn with extensive corporate, securities, governance, and transactional expertise within the biotechnology industry.

“The deep and proven experience Mike has across a wide range of legal and corporate matters in the life sciences sector will be invaluable to us as we move forward as a newly public company,” said Adrian Gottschalk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foghorn. “Mike is an important addition to the leadership team as Foghorn transitions to a clinical-stage company with multiple high value programs and reinforces our commitment to establishing the strongest team possible to fully realize the promise of our Gene Traffic Control platform.”

Prior to joining Foghorn, Mr. LaCascia served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Q-State Biosciences, Inc., where he helped lead the transition of the company’s strategy from enabling discovery services to the discovery of its own proprietary therapeutics. He previously served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Vertex Pharmaceuticals where he oversaw its global legal function and corporate governance. Mr. LaCascia also spent more than two decades at the firm WilmerHale LLP, where he was a partner in the firm’s corporate practice and specialized in securities, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. Mr. LaCascia received his J.D. from Boston University Law School and a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College.

“I am thrilled to be joining Foghorn at this important time in the company’s evolution,” said Mr. LaCascia. “Foghorn has assembled an outstanding leadership team and a talented group of professionals who have quickly established the company as pioneers of a new class of potential medicines targeting breakdowns in the chromatin regulatory system. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the company and helping to bring its breakthrough medicines to patients.”

About Foghorn Therapeutics

Foghorn^® Therapeutics is discovering and developing a novel class of medicines targeting genetically determined dependencies within the chromatin regulatory system. Through its proprietary scalable Gene Traffic Control™ platform, Foghorn is systematically studying, identifying and validating potential drug targets within the chromatin regulatory system. The company is developing multiple product candidates in oncology and expects to file an IND for its first program later this year.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding the Company’s plans for its proposed initial public offering. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the proposed public offering and other statements identified by words such as “could,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “projects” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding capital market conditions, our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, including risk regarding when we can complete the offering and other factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

MEDIA CONTACT

Fanny Cavalié, Foghorn Therapeutics
fcavalie@foghorntx.com

Gregory Kelley, Ogilvy
gregory.kelley@ogilvy.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

Allan Reine, Foghorn Therapeutics
areine@foghorntx.com

FAQ

What are the qualifications of Michael LaCascia at Foghorn Therapeutics?

Michael LaCascia has extensive experience in corporate law and governance, having previously served as Chief Legal Officer at Q-State Biosciences and held senior roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

What is the significance of LaCascia's appointment for Foghorn Therapeutics?

His appointment is expected to enhance Foghorn's legal and corporate governance capabilities, aligning with the company’s transition to a clinical-stage entity.

When does Foghorn Therapeutics plan to file an IND?

Foghorn Therapeutics expects to file an IND for its first oncology program later this year.

What role does the Chief Legal Officer play in Foghorn Therapeutics?

The Chief Legal Officer oversees legal compliance, corporate governance, and risk management, which are crucial as the company navigates its clinical-stage transition.