CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apic Bio Inc., a gene therapy company developing novel treatment options for patients with rare genetic diseases, today announced the appointment of Jorge A. Quiroz, MD, MBA, as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Quiroz brings over 20 years of scientific, clinical, and regulatory experience helping to develop and evolve gene therapies and small molecule drug programs from preclinical to regulatory filing. Most recently, Dr. Quiroz served as Chief Medical Officer of Solid Biosciences where he was responsible for leading the clinical advancement of its gene therapy program.
“We are excited to welcome Jorge to Apic during this critical period for the company and our pipeline. His extensive expertise in the clinical and regulatory development of gene therapies for rare diseases will support the advancement of both our SOD1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) programs,” said John Reilly, MS, MBA, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apic. “As CMO, Jorge will also lead the development and build out of our early-stage gene therapy programs derived from our THRIVE™ platform. We look forward to working with Jorge during this next chapter for Apic as we rapidly advance our therapies into the clinic on behalf of patients and families in need.”
“I am delighted to join Apic during an exciting period of expansion as we prepare to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for APB-102 for the treatment of patients with SOD1 ALS this year and enter the IND-enabling stage for APB-101 for the treatment of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency,” said Dr. Jorge Quiroz, EVP and Chief Medical Officer of Apic. “The Company’s mission, deep scientific foundation, clinical approach, and manufacturing expertise puts us in an excellent position to bring new gene therapy treatments to patients living with rare and monogenic disorders.”
Dr. Quiroz previously served as the Head of Neurodevelopment & Psychiatry, Translational Medicine Neurosciences at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG. He has also served as a Director at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC. He received an MD from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and completed his medical training as a Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology, at the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Quiroz is board certified in Psychiatry and also holds an MBA dual degree from Columbia University and London Business School.
About Apic Bio
Apic Bio is a gene therapy company focused on developing novel treatment options for rare, undertreated neurological and liver diseases. The Company's lead program is an adeno-associated (AAV)-based gene therapy for the treatment of the copper zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) ALS, a genetic form of the disease. Preclinical studies of additional genetic forms of ALS (C9Orf72) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) are ongoing. The Company is also advancing discovery programs for two undisclosed CNS indications that leverage its proprietary silence and replace THRIVE™ platform. The Company is backed by leading and disease-centric investors, including Morningside Ventures, ALS Investment Fund, and The Alpha-1 Project (TAP). For more information please visit www.apic-bio.com.