Newton, Massachusetts, June 23, 2022– Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T and NK cells, today announced that Dietmar Berger, M.D., Ph.D., currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi will contribute his considerable experience to the company’s Board of Directors as an observer. Dr. Berger has extensive expertise in immunology, oncology, hematology and rare diseases and has been in research and development leadership positions for more than twenty-five years.
“We are excited and honored to welcome Dietmar,” said John Edwards, Executive Chairman of Abcuro. “He joins our organization at a pivotal time, as ABC008 is expected to enter a Phase 2/3 study for inclusion body myositis (IBM) in the second half of the year. His extensive experience in clinical development, especially in the areas of oncology, immunology, and rare diseases, will also be invaluable as we expand the clinical evaluation of ABC008 beyond IBM into T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) in 2022, as well as other autoimmune disorders in the future.”
In his role as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Development at Sanofi, Dr. Berger leads global development science, strategy, and operations for the company’s portfolio in immunology, hematology, oncology, rare diseases, and neurology, and oversees pharmacovigilance and medical centers of excellence. Formerly, he was Senior Vice President of Global Product Development, Clinical Science Hematology/Oncology at Genentech/Roche, and Head of Research and Development at Atara, focusing on development of T cell immunotherapies. Prior to that, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Bayer and at Amgen. Dr. Berger has more than twenty-five years of experience in oncology research and development, including as Head of the Clinical Research Center at the University Medical Hospital, Freiburg, Germany. Dr. Berger has led academic research groups focusing on preclinical drug development, tumor models, angiogenesis, and immunotherapy in Germany, and at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. He holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from the Albert-Ludwigs University School of Medicine.
“I am honored to join Abcuro’s Board,” said Dr. Berger. “My interest in the company began when I reviewed the initial Phase 1 proof-of-mechanism data in IBM patients, demonstrating selective depletion of highly cytotoxic T cells and since then have been following the encouraging progress of the company. I am looking forward to working with an impressive team to help advance ABC008 in IBM and other indications.”
About ABC008
ABC008 is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing regulatory and central memory T cells. ABC008 has been designed to treat diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including the autoimmune muscle disease inclusion body myositis (IBM), T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), and other mature T cell malignancies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to ABC008 for the treatment of IBM.
About Abcuro
Abcuro is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of highly cytotoxic T and NK cells. The company’s lead program is ABC008, which is currently in clinical trials for inclusion body myositis (IBM). ABC008 is also advancing into clinical trials for additional autoimmune disease indications. The company is also developing ABC015 to selectively activate highly cytotoxic T and NK cells for treating cancer. For more information, visit us on LinkedIn and at abcuro.com.
For all Media related questions, please contact corporate.contact@abcuro.com
