FARMINGTON, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Rallybio—Rallybio LLC, a development-stage biotechnology company, today announced that it has further expanded its drug development capabilities with the addition of Ann Willauer, PMP. Ms. Willauer, who is highly experienced in scientific, project and portfolio management, will help advance Rallybio’s mission to identify and accelerate the development of transformative breakthrough therapies for patients with severe and rare disorders.
“As we build our portfolio of drug candidates, we will benefit greatly from Ann’s extensive experience managing the development of therapeutic portfolios and efficiently leading teams through the development phase,” said Martin Mackay, Ph.D., co-founder of Rallybio. “Ann’s proven track record will ensure that we meet our development objectives, further expanding our ability to bring forward transformative therapeutics to patients in need.”
Ms. Willauer brings to Rallybio 24 years of drug discovery, development and project management expertise. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Project Management at Inozyme Pharma, where she co-led the early development team in advancing a novel therapy for the treatment of ENPP1 deficiency. Prior to Inozyme, she was Senior Director of R&D Strategy, Project and Portfolio Management at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, where she was responsible for the development and execution of the strategic research portfolio plan. Ms. Willauer also held senior positions with increasing responsibility in project, portfolio management and therapeutic area strategy at Bristol Myers-Squibb and Pfizer, driving the delivery of medicines in all phases of development, from Discovery through Life-Cycle Management across Inflammation, Oncology, Metabolic Disease, Neuroscience and Infectious Diseases.
“Advances in understanding rare diseases and the underlying biology have allowed for the discovery and development of innovative medicines that have improved the lives of many, but much still remains to be done,” said Ann Willauer. “I am excited to be joining a talented team of world-class drug developers at Rallybio with a passion for finding transformational therapies for those patients in need. I share this passion, and I look forward to helping Rallybio achieve its goals.”
Ms. Willauer is a Certified Project Management Professional and has a M.A. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Wesleyan University. She also holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Chemistry from Providence College.
About Rallybio
Rallybio was established to identify and accelerate the development of transformative breakthrough therapies for patients with severe and rare disorders. The founders of the company – Martin Mackay, PhD, Stephen Uden, MD, and Jeffrey Fryer, CPA – are seasoned leaders from the biopharma industry with a wide breadth of research, development, and financial experience. Named by FierceBiotech as one of its “Fierce 15” Biotech Companies of 2018, the company was recognized as being among “the most promising private biotech startups”. Rallybio has earned the support of highly-respected investors in the bioscience sector and announced in April 2018 that it had secured $37.0 million in a Series A funding led by 5AM Ventures, Canaan Partners, and New Leaf Venture Partners, with additional public-sector participation from Connecticut Innovations. The Company is based in Farmington, CT, at the University of Connecticut’s Technology Incubation Program.