AZTherapies’ approach shifts the brain’s own immune cells, the microglia, from an aggressive, pro-inflammatory state to a neuroprotective, phagocytic state, while also inhibiting amyloid-beta plaque formation and neuroinflammation by dampening pro-inflammatory cytokine and mast cell activation.
AZTherapies At A Glance
“Beyond the amyloid approach, an alternate line of thought based on the role of mast cells and microglia is neuro-inflammation and the potential targeting of these cells for the treatment of [Alzheimer’s disease] represents a paradigm shift in therapeutic strategies.”
GlobalData, Neuroimmunology Drug Development Report, Dec 2018
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ALZT-OP1: First-in-class candidate to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
RESULTS-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP
With a demonstrated track record of successful commercial drug development
Rollover photos to view team bios
David R. Elmaleh, Ph.D.
FOUNDER, CEO & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
David also currently serves as Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, and Director of Contrast Media Chemistry at Massachusetts General Hospital. David’s research focus includes therapeutic and imaging compounds to improve the effectiveness of therapies for CNS, ischemic and cardiovascular disorders. He is also co-founder of Mersana Therapeutics, PureTech, and Molecular Insights. David’s work has led to six approved treatments representing more than a billion dollars in shareholder value.
Karen R. Reeves, M.D.
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER & PRESIDENT
Karen brings more than 20 years of industry experience in Phase 1 through Phase 4 drug development, across multiple therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and women’s health. Karen served in multiple leadership roles at Pfizer in R&D, Regulatory, Clinical Quality, and BD, including Vice President, Neuroscience Clinical Development, and provided leadership for multiple drug approvals, including leading drugs in neuroscience, Geodon/IM, and Chantix, which won the Prix Galien for Best Pharmaceutical. Karen has also served as Vice President, Global Head of Medical Science at Astellas Pharma.
Jay Mohr
CHIEF OPERATING & BUSINESS OFFICER, HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Jay has more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience delivering significant shareholder value, having served as co-founder and Managing Director of Locust Walk and co-founder and CEO of a development stage cancer company, Gloucester Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene for $640M for 6x return). He also has significant commercial experience, including the launches of two blockbuster products: Rebif (Serono) for MS and Nasonex (Schering-Plough).
Robert S. Warren
SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Robert has been lead counsel on dozens of biotech and M&A transactions, representing both strategic and private equity buyers and biotech company sellers, including the sale of iQuum to Roche in 2014 and the sale of deCode Genetics to Amgen in 2013. Robert most recently served as Corporate Partner in the Life Sciences Practice Group at Foley Hoag, LLP.
Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D.
CHAIR, SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Tanzi is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Mass General Hospital. His main focus is identifying and characterizing AD-associated gene mutations and variants with the ultimate goal of defining molecular, cellular, and biochemical events leading to neuronal death in brains of AD patients. Dr. Tanzi co-discovered the three early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease genes and the first innate immune microglial gene associated with AD, CD33. He also invented the Alzheimer’s-in-a-dish brain organoid model.
Michael E. Porter, Ph.D.
CHAIR, BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Porter is an economist, researcher, author, advisor, speaker and teacher. He is Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School. Throughout his career at HBS, he has brought economic theory and strategy concepts to bear on many of the most challenging problems facing corporations, economies and societies, including market competition and company strategy, economic development, the environment, and health care. His extensive research is widely recognized in governments, corporations, NGOs, and academic circles around the globe.
David R. Elmaleh, Ph.D.
FOUNDER, CEO & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
David also currently serves as Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, and Director of Contrast Media Chemistry at Massachusetts General Hospital. David’s research focus includes therapeutic and imaging compounds to improve the effectiveness of therapies for CNS, ischemic and cardiovascular disorders. He is also co-founder of Mersana Therapeutics, PureTech, and Molecular Insights. David’s work has led to six approved treatments representing more than a billion dollars in shareholder value.
Karen R. Reeves, M.D.
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER & PRESIDENT
Karen brings more than 20 years of industry experience in Phase 1 through Phase 4 drug development, across multiple therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and women’s health. Karen served in multiple leadership roles at Pfizer in R&D, Regulatory, Clinical Quality, and BD, including Vice President, Neuroscience Clinical Development, and provided leadership for multiple drug approvals, including leading drugs in neuroscience, Geodon/IM, and Chantix, which won the Prix Galien for Best Pharmaceutical. Karen has also served as Vice President, Global Head of Medical Science at Astellas Pharma.
Jay Mohr
CHIEF OPERATING & BUSINESS OFFICER, HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Jay has more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience delivering significant shareholder value, having served as co-founder and Managing Director of Locust Walk and co-founder and CEO of a development stage cancer company, Gloucester Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Celgene for $640M for 6x return). He also has significant commercial experience, including the launches of two blockbuster products: Rebif (Serono) for MS and Nasonex (Schering-Plough).
Robert S. Warren
SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Robert has been lead counsel on dozens of biotech and M&A transactions, representing both strategic and private equity buyers and biotech company sellers, including the sale of iQuum to Roche in 2014 and the sale of deCode Genetics to Amgen in 2013. Robert most recently served as Corporate Partner in the Life Sciences Practice Group at Foley Hoag, LLP.
Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D.
CHAIR, SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Tanzi is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Mass General Hospital. His main focus is identifying and characterizing AD-associated gene mutations and variants with the ultimate goal of defining molecular, cellular, and biochemical events leading to neuronal death in brains of AD patients. Dr. Tanzi co-discovered the three early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease genes and the first innate immune microglial gene associated with AD, CD33. He also invented the Alzheimer’s-in-a-dish brain organoid model.
Michael E. Porter, Ph.D.
CHAIR, BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Porter is an economist, researcher, author, advisor, speaker and teacher. He is Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School. Throughout his career at HBS, he has brought economic theory and strategy concepts to bear on many of the most challenging problems facing corporations, economies and societies, including market competition and company strategy, economic development, the environment, and health care. His extensive research is widely recognized in governments, corporations, NGOs, and academic circles around the globe.