AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cassava Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a novel treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, today announced the appointment of Freda Nassif as Chief Commercial Officer, effective today. As a member of the Company’s executive leadership team, Ms. Nassif will report to Richard “Rick” Barry, President and Chief Executive of Cassava.
“I am thrilled to expand Cassava’s leadership team and welcome Freda Nassif as Chief Commercial Officer. She joins our company at a critical time, ahead of the release of topline results from RETHINK-ALZ, our first Phase 3 trial for simufilam, expected by the end of 2024, and potential product launch,” said Rick Barry, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freda brings to Cassava a proven track record of successfully developing and implementing effective commercial strategies for innovative medicines. Pending positive simufilam Phase 3 results and FDA approval, we believe Freda’s extensive expertise will be invaluable to the development of a robust commercial plan. She will play a key role in helping to realize our ambitious goal of reimagining the treatment possibilities for Alzheimer’s disease.”
Freda Nassif, Chief Commercial Officer of Cassava commented, “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the commercial organization for a novel therapy at a time in which there are unprecedented challenges for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Developing innovative commercial strategies has been the focus of my career and I look forward to bringing my experience to a company like Cassava that is committed to transforming the treatment paradigm.”
About Freda Nassif, Chief Commercial Officer
Ms. Nassif is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with 25 years of experience, including leading commercial teams to blockbuster status for Pfizer, Inc., Novartis Oncology, Merck & Company, Inc. and Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition, Ms. Nassif has partnered with Fortune 100 life science, pharma, and biotech companies where she has been a major contributor to the commercial growth strategies of high-value, established and emerging brands including Zepbound®, Entyvio®, Tzield®, Epclusa®, and Takhzyro®.
Ms. Nassif has received numerous career awards including Pfizer’s “Vice President Cabinet Award”. Ms. Nassif earned her MBA and Bachelor of Science from Drexel University.
About Cassava Sciences, Inc.
Cassava Sciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas. Our mission is to detect and treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Simufilam is an investigational oral, small molecule drug candidate currently being evaluated in two Phase 3 clinical trials for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Simufilam targets a specific site on filamin A, a scaffolding protein that is critical to certain receptor interactions in the brain. Cassava Sciences believes that simufilam interrupts amyloid-β42 binding to receptors in the brain and may affect the Alzheimer’s disease process. Cassava Sciences owns exclusive, worldwide rights to its investigational product candidates and related technologies, without royalty obligations to any third party.
For more information, please visit: https://www.CassavaSciences.com
