Zymeworks Appoints Dr. Sabeen Mekan as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) has appointed Dr. Sabeen Mekan as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development to lead the clinical development strategy for its oncology portfolio and global regulatory affairs. Dr. Mekan brings 18 years of experience in hematology and oncology across academic research, clinical practice, and biopharmaceutical industry development.

The company also announced organizational changes with Dr. Jeff Smith continuing as Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, focusing on autoimmune and inflammatory disease R&D portfolio, while Barbara Schaeffler has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Clinical Development Operations.

Dr. Mekan's previous roles include Executive Director at Gilead Sciences, Senior Medical Director at Daiichi Sankyo, and Medical Director at Bristol-Myers Squibb. She will support Zymeworks' development of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics for gynecological, thoracic, and digestive system cancers.

Positive

• Strategic appointment of experienced executive with 18 years of expertise in oncology and regulatory affairs
• Expansion of clinical development leadership team to support product pipeline growth
• Diversification of R&D strategy into autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease, today announced that Sabeen Mekan, M.D., has been appointed as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mekan will have a key role in formulating the clinical development strategy for Zymeworks' clinical-stage oncology portfolio, including global regulatory affairs. Dr. Jeff Smith, who joined Zymeworks in 2023, will continue as Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, with primary responsibility for Zymeworks’ emerging R&D portfolio in autoimmune and inflammatory disease and Global Clincal Development Operations. Ms. Barbara Schaeffler, who joined Zymeworks in 2024, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Clinical Development Operations, reporting to Dr. Smith.

“Dr. Mekan brings a combined 18 years of experience in hematology and oncology across academic research, clinical practice and biopharmaceutical industry development, and I am excited to welcome her to our team,” said Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks. “Her expertise in both early and late phase oncology development and proven track record of leading submissions and interactions with global regulatory agencies will be instrumental as we advance our 5x5 programs and future product development. This expanded senior clinical development team will help to enhance our focus on progressing our clinical-stage solid tumor portfolio, while pursuing diversification of our R&D strategy into autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and hematological cancers as outlined in our recent R&D Day presentation.”

“I am delighted to join the Zymeworks’ team and help further its mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients around the world who are impacted by difficult-to-treat cancers and other serious diseases,” said Dr. Mekan. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and our clinical investigators on our exciting early-stage clinical portfolio addressing unmet needs in gynecological, thoracic, and digestive system cancers with our next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics.”

Dr. Mekan most recently served as Executive Director, Global Development Lead for the lung and gastrointestinal cancer franchises with Gilead Sciences based in the U.S. Prior to Gilead, she was the Senior Medical Director, Oncology R&D at Daiichi Sankyo U.S. responsible as global clinical development lead for two antibody-drug conjugates. She began her pharmaceutical career as a Medical Director with Bristol-Myers Squibb with a focus on immune-oncology. Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, she served as an Assistant Professor at Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine and Attending Hematologist/Oncologist at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Mekan completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, OH, and a fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the Staten Island University Hospital of Northshore-LIJ Health System (now Northwell Health). She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology and has authored numerous publications.

About Zymeworks Inc.

Zymeworks is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics. Zymeworks’ mission is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people impacted by difficult-to-treat conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease. The Company’s complementary therapeutic platforms and fully integrated drug development engine provide the flexibility and compatibility to precisely engineer and develop highly differentiated antibody-based therapeutic candidates. Zymeworks engineered and developed zanidatamab, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody using the Company’s proprietary Azymetric™ technology. Zymeworks has entered into separate agreements with BeiGene, Ltd. (BeiGene) and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited (Jazz Pharmaceuticals), granting each exclusive rights to develop and commercialize zanidatamab in different territories. The U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval of Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) 50mg/mL for injection for intravenous use for the treatment of adults with previously-treated, unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+) second-line biliary tract cancer (BTC). Ziihera® is the first and only dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody approved for HER2-positive BTC in the U.S. Zanidatamab is currently under regulatory review in the EU and China for second-line BTC and is being evaluated in multiple global clinical trials as a potential best-in-class treatment for patients with multiple HER2-expressing cancers. Zymeworks is rapidly advancing a robust pipeline of wholly-owned product candidates, leveraging its expertise in both antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics targeting novel pathways in areas of significant unmet medical need. Phase 1 studies for ZW171 and ZW191 are now actively recruiting with an investigational new drug application for ZW251 planned for mid-2025. In addition to Zymeworks’ pipeline, its therapeutic platforms have been further leveraged through strategic partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies. For information about Zymeworks, visit www.zymeworks.com and follow @ZymeworksInc on X.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” or information within the meaning of the applicable securities legislation, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the expected contributions of personnel to Zymeworks’ strategic goals; the impact of personnel on the clinical development strategy for Zymeworks’ product candidates; expectations regarding future regulatory filings and approvals and the timing thereof; the timing of anticipated IND submissions; potential therapeutic effects and commercial potential of zanidatamab and Zymeworks’ other product candidates; Zymeworks’ clinical development of its product candidates and enrollment in its clinical trials; the ability to advance product candidates into later stages of development; and other information that is not historical information. When used herein, words such as “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “may”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “potential”, “will”, “progress”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based upon Zymeworks’ current expectations and various assumptions. Zymeworks believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. Zymeworks may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Zymeworks’ or its collaborators’ product candidates; any of Zymeworks’ or its partners’ product candidates may fail in development, may not receive required regulatory approvals, or may be delayed to a point where they are not commercially viable; regulatory agencies may impose additional requirements or delay the initiation of clinical trials; the impact of new or changing laws and regulations; market conditions; and the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Zymeworks’ quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (copies of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com). Although Zymeworks believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance they will prove to be correct. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The above assumptions, risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as may be required by law, Zymeworks undertakes no obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.

Investor inquiries:
Shrinal Inamdar
Senior Director, Investor Relations
(604) 678-1388
ir@zymeworks.com

Media inquiries:
Diana Papove
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(604) 678-1388
media@zymeworks.com

FAQ

What is the significance of Dr. Sabeen Mekan's appointment to Zymeworks (ZYME)?

Dr. Mekan will lead ZYME's clinical development strategy for oncology and global regulatory affairs, bringing 18 years of experience in hematology and oncology to advance the company's 5x5 programs and future product development.

What therapeutic areas is Zymeworks (ZYME) currently focusing on?

ZYME is developing treatments for solid tumors (gynecological, thoracic, and digestive system cancers) while expanding into autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and hematological cancers.

What types of drug technologies is Zymeworks (ZYME) developing?

ZYME is developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics for difficult-to-treat diseases.

What is Dr. Mekan's professional background before joining Zymeworks (ZYME)?

Dr. Mekan previously served as Executive Director at Gilead Sciences, Senior Medical Director at Daiichi Sankyo, Medical Director at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and as an Assistant Professor and Attending Hematologist/Oncologist at medical institutions.