Leadership Changes - Barry Quart, Pharm.D. has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Connect Biopharma, succeeding Zheng Wei, Ph.D., who will remain on the Board of Directors as an advisor [1][3] - David Szekeres has been appointed as President, bringing extensive experience in life sciences [1][5] - Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D. has been appointed as the Chair of the Board of Directors, succeeding Wubin (Bill) Pan, Ph.D., M.B.A., who will also serve as an advisor during the transition [1][2] Company Vision and Strategy - The company aims to improve the lives of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases through T cell-driven research and innovative therapies [1][7] - The lead product candidate, rademikibart, is designed to target interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and asthma, establishing Connect as a late-stage company entering its pre-commercial phase [3][7] - The company has a cash runway extending into at least 2026, positioning it well for future growth and shareholder returns [4] Leadership Experience - Barry Quart brings over 30 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, having led multiple companies through late-stage clinical development and regulatory strategy, with nine FDA-approved drugs to his credit [3][4] - David Szekeres has a proven track record in operational, commercial, and corporate development roles, previously serving as Executive Vice President and COO at Heron Therapeutics [5][6]
Connect Biopharma Announces New Leadership and Chair of the Board of Directors