Pieris Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin technology platform for cancer, respiratory and other diseases, announced James Geraghty has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Geraghty replaces Chau Q. Khuong, who is stepping down from the board after helping guide Pieris through platform validation and partnerships to its transition into a fully-integrated research and clinical development company.
“Jim's proven track record of success and deep experience in the biopharmaceutical industry will be instrumental in guiding Pieris through its next chapter of development, particularly as we advance PRS-343, our proprietary lead immuno-oncology programme, into later stage development,” said Stephen S. Yoder, President and CEO.
“We are also excited about the continuing progress of our partnered programmes, including our lead respiratory programme, PRS-060, anticipated to soon enter a phase 1 clinical study with AstraZeneca, our important oncology partnership with Servier and others."
“Under Steve's leadership, Pieris has become a bona fide drug development company and executed on a corporate strategy that preserves global rights on its lead immuno-oncology programme, PRS-343, while closing strategic alliances to advance its respiratory franchise and other IO assets, all the while selectively retaining US rights within those alliances. Steve and the entire Pieris team deserve all the credit for these transformative programmes and partnerships,” said outgoing Chairman Chau Q. Khuong.
“I look forward to working with the board and the Pieris team to further advance its programmes. The Anticalin technology has great potential as a therapeutic protein class, particularly in immuno-oncology and respiratory diseases and Pieris is now on track to bring selected novel therapeutics directly to market,” said Jim Geraghty.
Jim Geraghty has served as member of the Pieris Board of Directors since May 2017 and is an industry leader with thirty years of strategic and leadership experience, including more than twenty years as a senior member of executive teams at biotechnology companies developing and commercialising innovative therapies.
Geraghty was most recently an Entrepreneur in Residence at Third Rock Ventures, a leading biotech venture and company-formation fund and previously served as Senior VP, North America Strategy and Business Development at Sanofi, which he joined upon its acquisition of Genzyme.
Geraghty spent twenty years at Genzyme, where his roles included Senior VP International Development, President of Genzyme Europe and General Manager of Genzyme's cardiovascular business.
Geraghty is Chairman of the Board of Idera Pharmaceuticals and Juniper Pharmaceuticals and serves on the Board of Voyager Therapeutics and Fulcrum Therapeutics.
He is also a member of the BIO Ventures for Global Health Board of Directors. He started his career in healthcare strategy consulting at Bain and Company. A graduate of the Yale Law School, Geraghty holds an MSc from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Georgetown University.