Aro Biotherapeutics Announces Leadership Transition and Appoints Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D., as Chief Executive Officer
Aro Biotherapeutics announced a leadership transition as co-founder Susan Dillon, Ph.D., steps down from her position as president and CEO to continue as chair of the Board of Directors. The company has appointed Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D. as the new CEO and board member, effective immediately.
Dr. Sarma brings over three decades of pharmaceutical experience and will lead the development of Aro's pipeline of siRNA-conjugate medications, including ABX1100, a novel Centyrin-GYS1 siRNA drug conjugate for Pompe disease treatment. His background includes extensive drug development experience and success in IPOs, M&A, and company transactions, most recently serving as CEO of Immunome.
The transition comes as Aro advances its mission to develop targeted short-interfering RNA (siRNA) medicines, with its lead program already in clinical testing. The company's focus remains on creating a new class of targeted siRNA medicines for intractable diseases using their proprietary Centyrin technology.
Aro Biotherapeutics ha annunciato un cambiamento nella leadership, con la co-fondatrice Susan Dillon, Ph.D., che lascia la sua posizione di presidente e CEO per continuare come presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione. L'azienda ha nominato Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D. come nuovo CEO e membro del consiglio, con effetto immediato.
Il Dr. Sarma porta con sé oltre tre decenni di esperienza nel settore farmaceutico e guiderà lo sviluppo della pipeline di farmaci a base di siRNA coniugati di Aro, incluso ABX1100, un nuovo coniugato di farmaco siRNA Centyrin-GYS1 per il trattamento della malattia di Pompe. Le sue esperienze includono un'ampia esperienza nello sviluppo di farmaci e successi in IPO, fusioni e acquisizioni, avendo recentemente ricoperto il ruolo di CEO di Immunome.
Il cambiamento avviene mentre Aro prosegue nella sua missione di sviluppare medicinali a base di RNA interferente corto (siRNA) mirati, con il suo programma principale già in fase di test clinici. L'azienda si concentra sulla creazione di una nuova classe di medicinali siRNA mirati per malattie difficili da trattare, utilizzando la loro tecnologia proprietaria Centyrin.
Aro Biotherapeutics anunció una transición en el liderazgo, ya que la cofundadora Susan Dillon, Ph.D., deja su cargo como presidenta y CEO para continuar como presidenta de la Junta Directiva. La empresa ha nombrado a Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D. como el nuevo CEO y miembro de la junta, con efecto inmediato.
El Dr. Sarma trae más de tres décadas de experiencia en la industria farmacéutica y liderará el desarrollo de la cartera de medicamentos de siRNA-conjugados de Aro, incluido ABX1100, un nuevo conjugado de medicamento siRNA Centyrin-GYS1 para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Pompe. Su experiencia incluye un amplio conocimiento en el desarrollo de medicamentos y éxitos en ofertas públicas iniciales (IPOs), fusiones y adquisiciones, habiendo sido recientemente CEO de Immunome.
La transición se produce mientras Aro avanza en su misión de desarrollar medicamentos de ARN de interferencia corto (siRNA) dirigidos, con su programa principal ya en pruebas clínicas. El enfoque de la empresa sigue siendo crear una nueva clase de medicamentos siRNA dirigidos para enfermedades difíciles de tratar, utilizando su tecnología propietaria Centyrin.
Aro Biotherapeutics는 공동 창립자 수잔 딜런 박사가 사장 겸 CEO 자리에서 물러나 이사회 의장으로 계속 활동하겠다고 발표했습니다. 이 회사는 Purnanand Sarma 박사를 즉시 새 CEO 및 이사로 임명했습니다.
Sarma 박사는 30년 이상의 제약 경험을 가지고 있으며 Aro의 siRNA-결합 약물 파이프라인, 특히 포메 질병 치료를 위한 새로운 Centyrin-GYS1 siRNA 약물 결합체인 ABX1100의 개발을 이끌 것입니다. 그의 배경에는 광범위한 약물 개발 경험과 IPO, 인수 합병 및 회사 거래에서의 성공이 포함되며, 최근에는 Immunome의 CEO로 재직했습니다.
이번 전환은 Aro가 임상 시험 중인 주요 프로그램을 통해 목표 지향적인 짧은 간섭 RNA (siRNA) 의약품 개발 사명을 추진하면서 이루어졌습니다. 회사의 초점은 독점 Centyrin 기술을 사용하여 다루기 힘든 질병을 위한 새로운 계층의 목표 siRNA 의약품을 만드는 것입니다.
Aro Biotherapeutics a annoncé une transition à la direction, la co-fondatrice Susan Dillon, Ph.D., quittant son poste de présidente et PDG pour continuer en tant que présidente du conseil d'administration. L'entreprise a nommé Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D. comme le nouveau PDG et membre du conseil, avec effet immédiat.
Le Dr Sarma apporte plus de trois décennies d'expérience pharmaceutique et dirigera le développement du pipeline de médicaments à base de siRNA conjugué d'Aro, y compris ABX1100, un nouveau conjugué de médicament siRNA Centyrin-GYS1 pour le traitement de la maladie de Pompe. Son parcours inclut une vaste expérience dans le développement de médicaments et des succès dans les IPO, les fusions et acquisitions, ayant récemment été PDG d'Immunome.
Cette transition intervient alors qu'Aro avance dans sa mission de développer des médicaments à base d'ARN interférents courts (siRNA) ciblés, avec son programme phare déjà en phase de test clinique. L'objectif de l'entreprise reste de créer une nouvelle classe de médicaments siRNA ciblés pour des maladies difficiles à traiter en utilisant sa technologie propriétaire Centyrin.
Aro Biotherapeutics gab einen Wechsel in der Führung bekannt, da Mitgründerin Susan Dillon, Ph.D., von ihrer Position als Präsidentin und CEO zurücktritt, um weiterhin die Vorsitzende des Aufsichtsrats zu sein. Das Unternehmen hat Purnanand Sarma, Ph.D. mit sofortiger Wirkung zum neuen CEO und Vorstandsmitglied ernannt.
Dr. Sarma bringt über drei Jahrzehnte Erfahrung in der Pharmaindustrie mit und wird die Entwicklung der siRNA-Konjugat-Medikamente von Aro leiten, dazu gehört auch ABX1100, ein neuartiges Centyrin-GYS1 siRNA-Arzneimittelkonjugat zur Behandlung der Pompe-Krankheit. Sein Hintergrund umfasst umfangreiche Erfahrungen in der Arzneimittelentwicklung sowie Erfolge bei Börsengängen, Fusionen und Unternehmensübernahmen; er war zuletzt CEO von Immunome.
Der Wechsel erfolgt, während Aro seine Mission vorantreibt, gezielte kurzzeitige RNA (siRNA) Medikamente zu entwickeln, wobei das Hauptprogramm bereits in klinischen Tests ist. Der Fokus des Unternehmens liegt weiterhin darauf, eine neue Klasse gezielter siRNA-Medikamente für schwer behandelbare Krankheiten mit ihrer proprietären Centyrin-Technologie zu schaffen.
- Lead program ABX1100 already in clinical testing phase
- New CEO brings over 30 years of pharmaceutical industry experience
- Incoming CEO has successful track record in IPOs, M&A, and company transactions
- Co-founder maintains involvement as Board Chair, ensuring continuity
- None.
Co-founder Susan Dillon, Ph.D., to remain as the chair of Board of Directors
“We founded Aro with the vision to create a new class of targeted siRNA medicines to address significant clinical needs with a fundamentally new approach for the most intractable diseases. As we rapidly build our pipeline, with our lead program already in clinical testing in patients, we believe the time is right for new leadership to guide the next stages of Aro’s growth,” noted Dr. Dillon. “Purnanand brings deep experience in industry and a proven track record of success in drug development across multiple therapeutic areas, and in scaling platforms, to his new role at Aro Biotherapeutics. I look forward to collaborating with him and the Aro Board to realize the company’s long-term goals.”
Dr. Sarma will be responsible for the further development of Aro’s pipeline of siRNA-conjugate medications, including the company’s lead product candidate ABX1100, a novel Centyrin-GYS1 short-interfering RNA (siRNA) drug conjugate for the treatment of Pompe disease, while preparing the company for its next stage of value creation.
“I am honored to take on the leadership of Aro at this pivotal point in the company’s evolution,” said Dr. Sarma. “The company has a rare opportunity to make a significant clinical impact across multiple therapeutic areas using what I consider as a disruptive approach. I look forward to building upon the success of Sue and the rest of the Aro team to unleash the potential of a new class of siRNA drugs for a wide range of diseases, starting with their lead program in Pompe disease.”
Dr. Sarma’s pharmaceutical experience spans more than three decades, with an extensive background in drug development, from discovery through approval, and a robust track record of value creation, including initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and asset and company transactions. He has more than 13 years of experience as an operating CEO and board member for both private and public companies, most recently as CEO for Immunome (NASDAQ:IMNM).
Prior to Immunome, Dr. Sarma led TARIS Biomedical as its CEO through the sale of its first program for interstitial cystitis to Allergan, and before the company was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2019. Prior to his CEO roles, he also held positions of increasing responsibility at Cephalon Corporation, Nektar Therapeutics, and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Sarma has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of
“Purnanand’s unique combination of extensive strategic and operational experience, coupled with deep pharmaceutical knowledge, makes him a market-leading candidate for leadership positions across the industry,” added Kevin Raidy, Board member of Aro and senior managing director and head of Healthcare Opportunities at Blue Owl Capital. “The fact that he chose to join Aro is a validation of the exciting possibilities inherent in our platform and lead asset.”
Dr. Dillon co-founded Aro Biotherapeutics in 2018 along with Karyn O’Neil, Ph.D., the company’s chief scientific offer and co-inventor of the company’s proprietary Centyrin technology. Dr Dillon’s career has been marked by leading cross-disciplinary teams to discover and develop novel therapeutics. Prior to joining Aro, she spent 16 years at Centocor and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, leading global Immunology R&D, achieving numerous regulatory approvals for innovative antibody products for autoimmune diseases, and was named one of the “Fierce Women in Biotech” in 2013 and 2022.
About Aro Biotherapeutics
Aro Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company working to develop potent and versatile tissue-targeted genetic medicines with a platform based on a proprietary protein technology called Centyrins. The company is developing a wholly owned pipeline of Centyrin-based therapeutic candidates for tissue-specific targeting of therapeutics for a diverse set of diseases. For more information, visit www.arobiotx.com.
About ABX1100
ABX1100, an investigational treatment for Pompe disease, is comprised of a CD71 receptor-binding Centyrin conjugated to a short-interfering RNA (siRNA) that specifically interferes with expression of GYS1 messenger RNA (mRNA), thereby reducing levels and overall activity of the GYS1 enzyme in muscle tissues. ABX1100 was well tolerated in a recently completed Phase 1 trial conducted in normal healthy volunteers, and demonstrated durable GYS1 mRNA knockdown in muscle biopsies, supporting the potential for quarterly dosing. ABX1100 has received Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease status from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250211732563/en/
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Source: Aro Biotherapeutics
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