BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Commense, Inc., an affiliate of PureTech Health plc (LSE:PRTC) developing microbiome-derived immune modulators for pediatric and maternal health, today announced the appointment of Edward J. “Tad” Stewart as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Stewart will focus on advancing Commense’s lead program towards the clinic, growing the Company’s microbiome-based development capabilities and expanding its fundraising and business development efforts to fuel the growth of the Company.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Commense and its world-class team of researchers and collaborators,” Mr. Stewart said. “The science around the microbiome and its interaction with the immune system has grown exponentially in recent years, but the opportunity to focus on the pediatric microbiome and its ability to impact disease is just beginning to mature. Commense has a tremendous opportunity to cement a leadership position in the field and deliver products that have the potential to alter, or even prevent, the course of many diseases at a very early age.”
Mr. Stewart joins Commense with more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology field, including over 15 years at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, where he was instrumental in growing the company from a pre-clinical organization to a commercial enterprise. Under his leadership as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Head of Merrimack’s Commercial Business Unit, the company executed multiple partnership and licensing deals with a total value in excess of $1.5 billion and successfully launched ONIVYDE®, which was sold to Ipsen in a 2017 transaction valued at $1.025 billion.
“We are excited to have Tad on board as we build and develop our arsenal of pediatric microbiome-derived therapeutics,” said David Steinberg, Chief Innovation Officer at PureTech Health and Co-founder of Commense. “Tad brings extensive strategic and business development experience and has a proven track record of building value and deal-making.”
About Commense
Commense, Inc., an affiliate of PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC), is developing interventions for pediatric and maternal health based on a deep understanding of the microbiome and its fundamental role as the foundation for the development of immune tolerance. Commense is working with some of the world’s leading microbiome scientists, physicians, and researchers to develop therapeutics comprised of rationally defined consortia of microbes to address critical unmet needs in pediatric populations. These defined microbial therapies are based on a deep understanding of human-microbe interactions, the effects of microbes on the immune system, and the impact of these interactions on infant and maternal health.
