Actym Therapeutics Appoints Thomas Smart as CEO

Core Insights - Actym Therapeutics has appointed Thomas Smart as the new CEO, bringing 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry to lead the company through its next growth phase as it prepares for clinical evaluation of its lead candidate, ACTM-838 [1][3] Company Overview - Actym Therapeutics has developed a proprietary platform called S. Typhimurium-Attenuated Cancer Therapy (STACT), which aims to achieve comprehensive immunological reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment [2] - The lead candidate, ACTM-838, is designed to selectively accumulate in the tumor microenvironment and deliver two engineered payloads: IL-15 and STING [2][4] - The company’s approach utilizes a genetically modified bacterial vehicle for targeted anti-tumor effects, aiming to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses against tumors [4] Leadership and Strategy - Thomas Smart's extensive background includes leadership roles in various biotech companies, with a focus on translating innovative research into therapeutics [3] - Under Smart's leadership, Actym aims to move ACTM-838 into clinical trials in the second quarter of 2024 and expand its pipeline with additional candidates from the STACT platform [3] - The STACT approach is noted for its efficacy and safety advantages, leveraging a systemically administered bacterial vehicle for tissue-specific delivery of large nucleic acid payloads [3]