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Hepion Pharmaceuticals Announces Dr. Kaouthar Lbiati as Interim Chief Executive Officer

Core Insights - Hepion Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Kaouthar Lbiati as interim CEO, effective June 16, 2025, replacing John Brancaccio who is retiring for personal reasons [1][2] - Dr. Lbiati's leadership is expected to focus on strategic renewal and innovation in diagnostics for unmet clinical needs, including celiac disease, respiratory multiplex testing, H. pylori, and HCC [2][4] - Dr. Lbiati has over 15 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceuticals, having held significant roles in advancing therapies from preclinical development to commercialization [3] Company Strategy - The company aims to reposition itself as a leader in precision diagnostics, targeting underdiagnosed conditions and leveraging scalable technologies [4] - Hepion plans to prioritize immediate revenue generation and long-term innovation, focusing on clinical utility for patients at risk of liver cancer and their caregivers [4] Recent Developments - In April 2024, Hepion announced the winding down of its ASCEND-NASH clinical trial, which had a target enrollment of 336 subjects but was paused with 151 subjects randomized [6] - On May 26, 2025, Hepion entered into an agreement to sell all patent assets and related data for Rencofilstat for a nominal amount, along with a contingent value right for stockholders [7]