Spyre Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYRE), a development-stage biotechnology company advancing best-in-class antibody engineering, rational therapeutic combinations, and precision medicine approaches for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, today announced the appointment of Mark C. McKenna to its Board of Directors. Mr. McKenna’s track record of corporate leadership, product development, and value creation, particularly in IBD. The Company looks forward to his guidance as it advances its potentially best-in-class antibodies targeting α4β7 and TL1A into clinical trials this year.
“Mark’s extraordinary career positions him to provide Spyre with valuable guidance as we seek to build a next-generation IBD company and create novel medicines with meaningfully improved efficacy and convenience compared to today’s standard of care,” said Cameron Turtle, DPhil, chief executive officer of Spyre. “We look forward to incorporating Mark’s insights as we seek to demonstrate the clinical features of our antibodies in healthy volunteers this year and prepare to launch studies, including both monotherapies and combination treatments, in IBD patients next year.”
Mr. McKenna is the former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prometheus Biosciences, Inc., which was acquired by Merck & Co., Inc. in June 2023 for approximately $10.8 billion. Prior to joining Prometheus, Mr. McKenna was a corporate officer of Bausch Health and served as President of the subsidiary Salix Pharmaceuticals, where he revitalized Bausch’s gastroenterology business with a series of strategic acquisitions and product launches, doubling revenue to exceed $2 billion while enhancing operating margins. Prior to Salix, Mr. McKenna spent more than a decade in various roles with Bausch + Lomb, also a division of Bausch, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Manager of its U.S. Vision Care business. Mr. McKenna was Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023 and holds a B.S. in marketing from Arizona State University and an MBA from Azusa Pacific University.
“Spyre had an impressive 2023, raising $390M through the capital markets with a syndicate of top-tier biotechnology investors,” said Mr. McKenna. “They are now well positioned to advance their pipeline candidates into the clinic, and I am thrilled to contribute my passion and expertise to propel Spyre’s vision towards groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of IBD.”
In connection with Mr. McKenna’s appointment to the Company’s Board, Alison Lawton has resigned effective February 1, 2024. We express our heartfelt gratitude for Alison’s dedicated service to the Company.
About Spyre Therapeutics
Spyre Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that aims to create next-generation inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) products by combining best-in-class antibody engineering, rational therapeutic combinations, and precision medicine approaches. Spyre’s pipeline includes extended half-life antibodies targeting α4β7, TL1A, and IL-23. For more information, visit Spyre’s website at www.spyre.com.
