Preeminent Life Science Leaders Join Board to Guide New Company Committed to Developing Life-Changing Medicines for Extremely Preterm Infants and Patients Suffering from Rare Autoimmune Diseases
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oak Hill Bio (“Oak Hill”), a clinical-stage neonatology and rare disease therapeutics company developing life-changing medicines for extremely preterm infants and patients suffering from rare autoimmune diseases, today announced the formation of the Company’s Board of Directors, which brings together a team of experienced leaders with collective expertise spanning financing, business operations, drug discovery, clinical development and biopharmaceutical business development. The board is chaired by Edwin Moses, Ph.D., former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ablynx.
“We are delighted to have assembled an outstanding Board of Directors comprised of preeminent life science leaders who share our commitment to build a world-class neonatology and rare disease therapeutics company,” said Josh Distler, J.D., President and Chief Financial Officer of Oak Hill Bio. “The entire Oak Hill team looks forward to working closely with the Board as we advance our pipeline of potentially transformative new medicines.”
Oak Hill Bio was established with the acquisition and license of two clinical-stage and four preclinical investigational therapeutics from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”). OHB-607 (formerly TAK-607) is a proprietary, recombinant version of human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) designed to help promote continued development and maturation of vital organs, and the vasculature that supports them, in infants born extremely prematurely. OHB-101 (formerly TAK-752) is being investigated for the treatment of a wide array of rare autoimmune diseases. The Board’s membership includes leaders with direct knowledge of the six acquired programs based on prior experience with Takeda and Shire Pharmaceuticals LLC, which was acquired by Takeda in 2019. The company anticipates appointing a Chief Executive Officer in the first half of 2022.
“I am excited to join the Oak Hill team as they embark on launching a new powerhouse in neonatology and rare diseases and look forward to working with the truly exceptional Board and management team that has been assembled. Oak Hill has set forth an ambitious mission focused on addressing major unmet needs for very vulnerable patients,” said Dr. Moses. “OHB-607 has promising potential to prevent the complications of prematurity and help support the long-term development and quality of life for children born extremely preterm. I am equally enthusiastic about the other compounds in the Oak Hill pipeline, as they offer novel approaches in the treatment of a wide array of rare autoimmune diseases.”
The members of the Oak Hill Bio Board of Directors are as follows:
- Edwin Moses, Ph.D. has more than 25 years of experience as a chief executive and chair of numerous life science companies. Most recently, he was Chairman and then CEO of Ablynx. During his 14-year tenure at Ablynx, he led its rapid growth from a small research-focused organization to one of Europe’s most successful biotechnology companies that was listed on Euronext Brussels and NASDAQ until its acquisition by Sanofi in 2018 for $4.8 billion. Before that, Dr. Moses led the growth, stock listing and eventual sale of pharmaceutical services company, Oxford Asymmetry International, as CEO and later Chairman. He is currently Chairman of Achilles Therapeutics Ltd., Avantium NV, and LabGenius Ltd.
- David Colpman has more than 30 years of biopharma business development and strategy experience, including as Head of Global Business Development at Shire Pharmaceuticals Plc where he drove growth through a series of strategic acquisitions, licensing and divestment programs. Mr. Colpman has also held senior business development roles with Novo Nordisk A/S, and GlaxoSmithKline Plc. Mr. Colpman currently serves on the boards of Orexo AB and HRA Pharma Ltd.
- Daniel Curran, M.D. is Head, Rare Genetics & Hematology Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. Previously, Dr. Curran served as Head of Takeda’s Center for External Innovation where he focused on diversifying and transforming Takeda’s research and development pipeline. Prior to joining Takeda, Dr. Curran led the corporate development group at Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Curran currently serves on the board of Xilio Therapeutics.
- Josh Distler, J.D. is President and Chief Financial Officer of Oak Hill Bio. He has extensive experience building and investing in biotechnology companies, having served as Head of Crossover and Quantitative Equity at Athanor Capital, COO of Global Private Investing for D. E. Shaw & Co., Chief Operating Officer at Attenuon, a cancer drug development firm and as a Director of Schrödinger, Inc.
- Ramy Farid, Ph.D. is President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the board of directors of Schrödinger, Inc. Since joining the company in 2002, he has advanced the company’s computational platform and drug discovery portfolio while assuming positions of increasing responsibility before becoming CEO in 2017. Dr. Farid has played a key role in implementing major strategic initiatives, including more than 40 research collaborations and joint ventures, and led the company through its initial public offering in 2020. Dr. Farid currently also serves on the boards of Ajax Therapeutics and ShouTi.
- Mark McHale, Ph.D. is Chief Scientific Officer of Oak Hill Bio. Most recently, Dr. McHale co-founded Aslan Pharmaceuticals and served as its Chief Development Officer and Head of R&D. He has also held leadership positions with AstraZeneca and SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline Plc.).
About Oak Hill Bio
Oak Hill Bio is a clinical-stage neonatology and rare disease therapeutics company developing life-changing medicines for extremely preterm infants and patients suffering from rare autoimmune diseases. The company, which has operations in the United States and United Kingdom, was launched to develop a pipeline of six promising clinical-stage and preclinical investigational therapeutics acquired and licensed from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”). For more information on Oak Hill Bio, visit the company’s website at www.oakhillbio.com.
Contacts
Investors
Josh Distler
Oak Hill Bio
josh.distler@oakhillbio.com
Anne Marie Fields
Stern Investor Relations
Annemarie.fields@sternir.com
212-362-1200
Media
Chris Railey
Ten Bridge Communications
chris@tenbridgecommunications.com
617-834-0936