Core Viewpoint - Akari Therapeutics has appointed Abizer Gaslightwala as the new President and CEO, effective April 21, 2025, to lead the company in its next phase of growth in targeted oncology [1][2][3] Company Leadership Transition - Abizer Gaslightwala brings 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, previously serving as Senior Vice President and Franchise Head for US Oncology at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, overseeing a portfolio with annual sales of $1 billion [2][4] - Samir R. Patel, the current President and CEO, will remain on the Board of Directors after his tenure, during which he successfully oversaw the merger of Peak Bio and Akari [1][3] Strategic Direction - Under Gaslightwala's leadership, Akari aims to leverage its next-generation precision bi-functional antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to develop breakthrough therapies for cancer patients [3][6] - The company’s lead candidate, AKTX-101, targets the TROP2 receptor and utilizes a novel PH1 payload designed to induce tumor-specific cell death while minimizing off-target toxicity [6] Product Development and Innovation - Akari's ADC platform is positioned to generate multiple novel candidates across various solid and hematological cancers, potentially overcoming limitations of current ADCs [6] - Preclinical studies of AKTX-101 have shown superior activity, prolonged survival, and better tolerability compared to traditional ADCs [6]
Akari Therapeutics Appoints Biotechnology Industry Leader, Abizer Gaslightwala, as President and Chief Executive Officer