SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lassen Therapeutics, a biotech company developing breakthrough antibody therapeutics as potential treatments for fibrosis, rare diseases and oncology, today announced the appointment of Puneet S. Arora, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer.
“As a highly regarded physician-scientist and drug developer, Puneet’s experience in inflammation and immunology will be instrumental to Lassen as we initiate our clinical program for LASN01, our first-in-class anti-IL-11R antibody,” said Mark Barrett Chief Executive Officer of Lassen Therapeutics. “In addition, his expertise in antibody therapeutics and novel targets from his experience across the biotech and pharma industries will be invaluable as we build a robust and innovative pipeline in fibrosis, oncology and other therapeutic areas.”
Dr. Arora brings extensive expertise in the development of investigational therapies, having most recently served as Head of Clinical, Inflammation and Immunology at Principia Biopharma, a Sanofi company. At Principia, he led clinical development strategy and the clinical team in the design and execution of clinical studies across the company’s portfolio. Dr. Arora managed clinical development for lead programs including early translational development and proof of concept through late development and regulatory submissions. He played a key role in leading the pivotal study clinical and filing teams for the rilzabrutinib program in pemphigus. Prior to his time at Principia, he was Senior Medical Director of Early Clinical Development and Clinical Team Leader at Genentech Research and Early Development working across multiple therapeutic areas. Dr. Arora received his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, completed his residency in internal medicine at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, a fellowship in endocrinology at NYU, and earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research at the Mayo Clinic as part of the Clinical Research Training Program.
“I am excited to join Lassen at this pivotal time and advance our mission of developing biotherapeutics against compelling new targets that are central to diseases with significant unmet needs,” said Dr. Arora. “Lassen is pursuing compelling targets and novel mechanisms of action with the potential to result in important new therapeutics for patients with limited treatment options.”
About Lassen Therapeutics
Lassen Therapeutics develops breakthrough antibodies as potential treatments for fibrosis, rare diseases, and oncology. The company’s lead candidate is LASN01, a best-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting IL-11 receptor (IL-11R). IL-11, a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines, is a central mediator of fibrosis and blocking its activity has the potential to be safer than and additive to other anti-fibrotic therapeutic approaches. IL-11 is also an important effector of tumor microenvironment organization, playing a key role as a mediator between cancer and stromal cells. For more information, please visit www.lassentherapeutics.com
