• Dr. Zojwalla brings extensive and diverse experience in clinical development and regulatory strategy for novel oncology therapies
• As part of planned leadership transition, former CMO Pamela Klein, M.D., will become a senior advisor and member of Olema’s Scientific Advisory Board
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Olema Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted therapies for women’s cancers, today announced the appointment of Naseem Zojwalla, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer.
Bringing more than 15 years of oncology and clinical development experience across the biopharmaceutical industry and academia, Dr. Zojwalla joins Olema as the company prepares to advance its lead therapeutic candidate, OP-1250, an investigational complete estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist (CERAN) and a selective ER degrader (SERD) in development for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, into Phase 2 development.
“Naseem’s comprehensive and nuanced understanding of what it takes to guide life-changing cancer medicines through various stages of clinical development will be instrumental as we continue to investigate the full potential of Olema’s science to improve outcomes for women living with cancer,” said Sean P. Bohen, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Olema Oncology. “We are excited to welcome Naseem to the executive leadership team at this important time for Olema. Her passion, dedication and leadership will be integral in our journey to transform the standard of care for patients.”
Dr. Zojwalla previously led clinical development and strategy at biopharmaceutical companies, including Turning Point Therapeutics and Peloton Therapeutics (acquired by Merck & Co. Inc.) and served in lead clinical roles at multiple oncology-focused companies, including Onyx Pharmaceuticals, ImClone Systems, and Eisai Inc. She brings with her extensive experience in building out world-class clinical development, operations, and pharmacovigilance teams to support expanding programs, advancing clinical assets from Phase 1 through registrational studies, and regulatory experience with U.S. and European authorities. She earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed her hematology/oncology fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center.
“I am thrilled to join Olema on their mission of creating meaningful change for women living with cancer. On the heels of compelling first-in-human data, it’s an exciting time to join the company and contribute to the generation of further clinical evidence in support of OP-1250 as a potential differentiated CERAN and a best-in-class endocrine therapy, as both a monotherapy and in combination with approved targeted therapies,” said Dr. Zojwalla. “As we prepare for upcoming clinical milestones, I am inspired by the patients we serve and the Olema team’s commitment to data-driven innovation.”
Dr. Zojwalla succeeds Pamela Klein, M.D., who as part of a planned leadership transition, will continue to work with the company both as a senior strategic advisor and as a newly appointed member of Olema’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Klein has served as Chief Medical Officer for Olema in a consultant capacity since early 2020, and previously served as a drug development consultant to the company for more than a decade.
“Pam has been instrumental to the success of Olema, helping to drive OP-1250 into clinical development as well as establishing the clinical development infrastructure to run multiple global clinical trials and attracting leading oncology investigators,” Dr. Bohen said. “On behalf of the entire Olema team, I thank Pam for her many contributions to our organization, and her commitment and dedication to improving outcomes for breast cancer patients.”
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the Olema team and to have been a part of the company’s growth story to date,” said Dr. Klein. “I am proud of the progress made in advancing the development program for OP-1250, and the potential for this investigational CERAN to help improve the lives of women living with breast cancer. I look forward to continuing to support the program in my new advisory roles.”
About Olema Oncology
Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted therapies for women’s cancers. Olema’s lead product candidate, OP-1250, is an orally-available small molecule with combined activity as both a complete estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist (CERAN) and a selective ER degrader (SERD). It is currently being evaluated as a single agent in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial, and in Phase 1b combination with palbociclib, in patients with recurrent, locally advanced or metastatic ER-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Olema is headquartered in San Francisco and has operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts.