Avalo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AVTX) has announced the appointment of Rita Jain, MD, to its board of directors (BOD).
To this role, Dr. Jain, a rheumatologist, brings more than two decades of leadership in biopharmaceutical development, clinical strategy, and regulatory affairs—across multiple therapeutic areas, including immunology, inflammation, nephrology, and rare diseases. She most recently served as EVP and CMO at ChemoCentryx.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jain to Avalo’s BOD,” said Michael Heffernan, chairman of the board. “Rita’s extensive experience spanning clinical development, regulatory strategy, and executive leadership at multiple development-stage biopharma companies will be invaluable as we continue to advance AVTX-009, a high affinity anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody in a Phase 2 trial for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and take a thoughtful, capital-efficient approach to our broader development strategy.”
Dr. Jain commented, “I am excited to join Avalo’s Board at this pivotal stage in the company’s growth, with the progressing Phase 2 LOTUS trial in HS expected to readout in the middle of next year. I was drawn to this opportunity given AVTX-009’s proven mechanism of action, its potential to become a best-in-disease treatment in HS, and its potential in addressing unmet needs in a number of additional large inflammatory diseases.”
She added, “With my experience in navigating strategic growth in immunology and inflammation across multiple indications and stages of development, I look forward to supporting the leadership team and collaborating with my fellow board members as Avalo works to bring potential best-in-disease treatments to patients in need.”
