Selective Targeting of Highly Cytotoxic T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases
Abcuro is developing its lead product candidate ABC008 for autoimmune disorders and rare cancers, including inclusion body myositis (IBM), T Cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (T-LGLL) and T and NK cell lymphomas. ABC008 is a monoclonal antibody designed to selectively deplete highly cytotoxic T cells by targeting killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1), a marker selectively expressed on these highly cytotoxic T cells.
In IBM and T-LGLL, cytotoxic T cells are a major source of chronic tissue damage. For mature T and NK cell lymphomas, the KLRG1 expressing T cells or NK cells are malignant. In November 2021, we presented initial results from a Phase 1 open-label trial of ABC008 in IBM at American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2021 (view poster) and an updated dataset was presented at GCOM 2022 (view poster). In this trial, ABC008 demonstrated potent depletion of KLRG1+ T cells in patients with IBM.
In cancer, inhibition of KLRG1, an inhibitory immune checkpoint not targeted by any of the currently available therapies, can activate highly cytotoxic T and natural killer (NK) cells and leverage their potent anti-tumor activity. Abcuro is advancing ABC015, a KLRG1-blocking antibody through preclinical development for immune-oncology applications.
Martin, Alex
Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Wilkins, Jeffrey
Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among
H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD
Chief Medical Officer
H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among others, Jeff led clinical development programs at Avalo Therapeutics, Lycera, Ceptaris Therapeutics, Cephalon, and Ception Therapeutics. He entered the pharmaceutical industry with GlaxoSmithKline, where he rose to become Vice President of Discovery Medicine for GSK’s Center of Excellence in External Drug Discovery. Jeff received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine and his B.S. from Bucknell University.
Tubridy, Karen
Karen Tubridy is the Chief Development Officer of Abcuro. She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND,
Karen Tubridy, PharmD
Chief Development Officer
Karen Tubridy, PharmD
Chief Development Officer
Subramanyam, Janaki
Janaki (Jana) Subramanyam is Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Abcuro. Jana is an experienced regulatory affairs professional having worked on small molecule and biologic development programs across rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, and psychiatry for more than twenty years. Her regulatory drug development expertise spans clinical, nonclinical, manufacturing, quality, post marketing advertising, and promotional activities.
Janaki M. Subramanyam
VP, Head of Regulatory Affairs
Janaki M. Subramanyam
VP, Head of Regulatory Affairs
Borbas, Dave
Dave Borbas
Research VP,
Head of Data Management
Dave Borbas
Research VP,
Head of Data Management
Byrne, Donna
Donna Byrne
Director, Clinical Operations
Donna Byrne
Director, Clinical Operations
Chaney, Terry
Terry Chaney
Associate Director,
GMP QA Operations
Terry Chaney
Associate Director,
GMP QA Operations
Chartienitz, Brett
Brett Chartienitz
IT Operations Manager
Brett Chartienitz
IT Operations Manager
Cooper, Ken
Ken Cooper
Clinical Operations, Trial Management
Ken Cooper
Clinical Operations, Trial Management
Greenberg, Steven A.
Steven A Greenberg, M.D., M.S. is a founder of Abcuro and the Chief Scientific Advisor. Steve is a clinical neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. His clinical and laboratory research focus involves translational medicine, inventing diagnostics including blood tests for dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis, and therapeutics,
Steven A. Greenberg, MD
Chief Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder
Steven A. Greenberg, MD
Chief Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder
Gress, Mike
Mike Gress
VP, Clinical Development,
Head of Clinical Trial Management
Mike Gress
VP, Clinical Development,
Head of Clinical Trial Management
Hoffer, LaDonna
LaDonna Hoffer
Senior Director, Operations
LaDonna Hoffer
Senior Director, Operations
Hwang, Ella
Ella Hwang
Senior Director, Quality
Ella Hwang
Senior Director, Quality
Jiang, Lusi
Lusi Jiang
Senior Accountant
Lusi Jiang
Senior Accountant
LeMessurier, Hugo
Hugo LeMessurier
Director, Abcuro Pty Ltd
Hugo LeMessurier
Director, Abcuro Pty Ltd
Lurk, Kristin
Kristin Lurk
Senior Director
Program Management
Kristin Lurk
Senior Director
Program Management
Mansuri, Daniel
Daniel Mansuri
Head of Corporate Development
Daniel Mansuri
Head of Corporate Development
Martin, Alex
Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
McClain, Michael
Michael McClain
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
Michael McClain
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
Motschwiller, Ricky
Richard Motschwiller
VP, Finance and Planning
Richard Motschwiller
VP, Finance and Planning
Orozco, Raquel
Raquel Orozco
Director, CMC
Manufacturing Operations
Raquel Orozco
Director, CMC
Manufacturing Operations
Reyes, Armando
Armando Reyes
Associate Clinical Director
Armando Reyes
Associate Clinical Director
Searle, Stephen
Stephen A. Searle
Senior Program Manager
Stephen A. Searle
Senior Program Manager
Shen, Yuyi
Yuyi Shen, PhD
VP, Technical Operations
Yuyi Shen, PhD
VP, Technical Operations
Soler-Ferran, Dulce, PhD
Dulce Soler-Ferran, PhD
VP, Biology
Dulce Soler-Ferran, PhD
VP, Biology
Subramanyam, Janaki
Janaki (Jana) Subramanyam is Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Abcuro. Jana is an experienced regulatory affairs professional having worked on small molecule and biologic development programs across rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, and psychiatry for more than twenty years. Her regulatory drug development expertise spans clinical, nonclinical, manufacturing, quality, post marketing advertising, and promotional activities.
Janaki M. Subramanyam
VP, Head of Regulatory Affairs
Janaki M. Subramanyam
VP, Head of Regulatory Affairs
Tubridy, Karen
Karen Tubridy is the Chief Development Officer of Abcuro. She brings more than 30 years of experience in drug development strategy and operations supporting novel and first-in-class therapeutics. Previously, Karen served as a Chief Development Officer at Verseau Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Eleven Bio. She has had responsibility for driving global program strategies to IND,
Karen Tubridy, PharmD
Chief Development Officer
Karen Tubridy, PharmD
Chief Development Officer
Weems Gary
Garry Weems
VP, Clinical Science
Garry Weems
VP, Clinical Science
Wilkins, Jeffrey
Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among
H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD
Chief Medical Officer
H. Jeffrey Wilkins, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Jeffrey Wilkins is the Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. He is a highly experienced clinician, having advanced clinical programs from IND to regulatory approval. Jeff has deep expertise in the areas of immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology. He has served in senior clinical leadership positions, including as Chief Medical Officer for over 20 years. Among others, Jeff led clinical development programs at Avalo Therapeutics, Lycera, Ceptaris Therapeutics, Cephalon, and Ception Therapeutics. He entered the pharmaceutical industry with GlaxoSmithKline, where he rose to become Vice President of Discovery Medicine for GSK’s Center of Excellence in External Drug Discovery. Jeff received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine and his B.S. from Bucknell University.
Martin, Alex
Alex Martin brings over 30 years of experience building companies and closing transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Palladio Biosciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which was acquired by Centessa Pharmaceuticals (CNTA), and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Realm Therapeutics (RLM) which was acquired by ESSA
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Alex Martin
Chief Executive Officer
Knowles, Julius (Jay)
Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics. Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President
Julius (Jay) Knowles
Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures
Julius (Jay) Knowles
Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures
Jay Knowles joined Mass General Brigham Ventures in 2014 as a Partner. Previously, Jay was Chief Executive Officer of X-BODY Biosciences, which was acquired by Juno Therapeutics. Prior to X-BODY, he was at Novartis in charge of the Platforms team for Strategic Alliances, responsible for global technology and drug discovery collaborations. Jay was also President of Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Business Development at Novacea, and Director, R&D Planning at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He represents Mass General Brigham Ventures on the boards of Apres Therapeutics, Keros Therapeutics, SwanBio Therapeutics, and Triplet Therapeutics. Jay earned his M.B.A in Finance from Wharton Business School, an M.Sc. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. with Distinction in Chemistry from Carleton College.
Hafler, Jason P. , PhD
Jason P. Hafler is the Managing Director of Sanofi Ventures. Prior to joining Sanofi in 2014, Jason was the Director of Corporate Development at RaNA Therapeutics, a company co-founded by his previous firm Atlas Venture. While at Atlas, Jason was an Associate in the Life Sciences group. Previously, he was a Flagship Ventures Entrepreneurial Fellow,
Jason P. Hafler, PhD
Managing Director, Sanofi Ventures
Jason P. Hafler, PhD
Managing Director, Sanofi Ventures
Jason P. Hafler is the Managing Director of Sanofi Ventures. Prior to joining Sanofi in 2014, Jason was the Director of Corporate Development at RaNA Therapeutics, a company co-founded by his previous firm Atlas Venture. While at Atlas, Jason was an Associate in the Life Sciences group. Previously, he was a Flagship Ventures Entrepreneurial Fellow, and consulted for the technology transfer company at the University of Cambridge while performing his doctoral research. Before his time at Cambridge, Jason was an analyst at JSB Partners LP, an investment banking firm. Jason’s active investments include Abcuro, Amathus Therapeutics, Escient Pharmaceuticals, Expansion Therapeutics, Glycomine, Q32 Bio, ReCode Therapeutics, Rome Therapeutics and Navitor Pharmaceuticals. Jason graduated with honors from Bowdoin College and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.
Kariv, Tomer
Tomer is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pontifax. He serves as an active board member of many of the funds’ portfolio companies, assuming a special responsibility for strategic planning. Among other positions, Tomer serves as the chairman at Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, board member in Cathworks, Keros Therapeutics, Ocon Healthcare, ARMGO and V-Wave. During the
Tomer Kariv
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pontifax
Tomer Kariv
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pontifax
Shah, Rajeev
Rajeev Shah has been a Managing Partner at RA Capital Management since 2004. Raj is active in both public and private investments in companies developing drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and research tools. He is also active in the firm’s outreach efforts, speaking frequently both at industry events and in classrooms. He previously worked as a
Rajeev Shah
Managing Partner, RA Capital Management
Rajeev Shah
Managing Partner, RA Capital Management
McCarthy, Donnie
Donald McCarthy is Vice President at Samsara Biocapital. Prior to joining Samsara, he was a Partner at Global Founders Capital where he founded and invested in multiple therapeutics companies. Previously, Donald served as a Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Life Science Angels where he helped source and evaluate new deals and was a Managing Director
Donnie McCarthy, PhD
Vice President, Samsara BioCapital
Donnie McCarthy, PhD
Vice President, Samsara BioCapital
Deptula-Hicks, Darlene
Darlene Deptula-Hicks has served on the board of directors and as audit committee chair of Abcuro since July 2021. Darlene joined Aerami Therapeutics as Chief Financial Officer in October 2023, where she has been on the board of directors and chair of the audit committee since October 2021. Prior to Aerami, Darlene most recently served
Darlene Deptula-Hicks
Board of Directors & Audit Committee Chair
Darlene Deptula-Hicks
Board of Directors & Audit Committee Chair
Berger, Dietmar
Dietmar Berger is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi, where he oversees the clinical portfolio of Sanofi across all therapeutic areas. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions across both large pharmaceutical companies as well as innovative biotech companies, Dr. Berger brings extensive expertise in clinical development
Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD
Observer, Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Global Development at Sanofi
Dietmar Berger, MD, PhD
Observer, Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Global Development at Sanofi
Dietmar Berger is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi, where he oversees the clinical portfolio of Sanofi across all therapeutic areas. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions across both large pharmaceutical companies as well as innovative biotech companies, Dr. Berger brings extensive expertise in clinical development and advancing programs all the way to market approval to Abcuro. As a trained hematologist and oncologist, Dr. Berger has extensive experience in therapeutic areas of high relevance to Abcuro’s programs. Prior to Sanofi, he was Global Head of R&D at Atara Biotherapeutics, an off-the-shelf cell therapy company. Previously he held senior positions in clinical development at Amgen, Bayer and Genentech where he served as the Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development, Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Berger holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Albert-Ludwigs University School of Medicine in Freiburg, Germany, where he still maintains an adjunct faculty position.
Xu, Yajun
Yajun Xu is currently president of Hongsen Investment Group. She also serves as Senior Advisor for Shangbay Capital, co-founder of Epimab, and board member and advisor on numerous biotech companies in U.S. and China. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Shangpharma, Executive Vice President of Biology and Pre-Clinical Service at Chempartner
Yajun Xu, PhD
Observer
President, Hongsen
Yajun Xu, PhD
Observer
President, Hongsen
Yajun Xu is currently president of Hongsen Investment Group. She also serves as Senior Advisor for Shangbay Capital, co-founder of Epimab, and board member and advisor on numerous biotech companies in U.S. and China. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Shangpharma, Executive Vice President of Biology and Pre-Clinical Service at Chempartner in Shanghai, China. Prior to Joining Shangpharma, Yajun was Director of Inflammation at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Senior Scientist at BASF Bioresearch (now AbbVie Bioresearch). She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Brandeis University and postdoctoral training at Harvard School of Public Health.
Ming Fang
Ming Fang is a Managing Director at Redmile Group, LLC, a healthcare-focused investment firm. Prior to joining Redmile in 2016, Ming worked in the healthcare space as an investor at Safeguard Scientifics, a consultant at McKinsey & Company and ZS Associates, and an operator at Gilead Sciences. He received a B.A. in Computer Science from
Ming Fang
Observer
Managing Director, Redmile Group
Ming Fang
Observer
Managing Director, Redmile Group
Cashdan, Jonah
Jonah Cashdan joined Bain Capital Life Sciences in 2018. Prior to joining Bain Capital, he worked at J.P. Morgan in their healthcare investment banking group, evaluating and executing strategic alternatives including M&A and debt/equity financings for clients across the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Jonah studied synaptic physiology and sensory system
Jonah Cashdan
Observer
Vice President, Bain Capital Life Sciences
Jonah Cashdan
Observer
Vice President, Bain Capital Life Sciences
