Rivus Pharmaceuticals Grows Leadership Team and Opens New Office in San Francisco Area

Rivus Pharmaceuticals Expands Leadership and Office

Rivus Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on treating cardiometabolic diseases stemming from obesity, has unveiled significant changes in its leadership team and established a new office in the San Francisco Bay area. This strategic development comes ahead of the anticipated Phase 2b read-out in the ongoing M-ACCEL clinical trial.

On April 10, 2025, Rivus officially announced the appointments of Dr. David Grainger as Chairman of Development and Meg Fitzgerald as Chief Legal Officer. CEO Jayson Dallas emphasized that these appointments would enhance the clinical development of Rivus's innovative pipeline, especially its Controlled Metabolic Accelerators (CMAs) aimed at tackling obesity and its related metabolic disorders.

Leadership Changes and Expertise

Dr. Grainger brings over 30 years of expertise in drug discovery and development to Rivus. As a seasoned biopharma executive, he has a formidable track record, having co-founded over 30 biotechnology firms. His previous roles include Chief Innovation Officer at Centessa Pharmaceuticals and a director at multiple biotech companies. His appointment is expected to fast-track Rivus's growth by implementing strategies that drive clinical development for their pipeline of CMA drug candidates, especially HU6, Rivus's leading investigational candidate.

Meg Fitzgerald, with more than two decades of experience in legal affairs within the biopharmaceutical sector, will provide critical legal guidance for navigating regulatory frameworks and managing intellectual property. Before joining Rivus, she held significant roles at companies like Codexis and Aimmune Therapeutics, where her negotiation skills were pivotal during major acquisitions.

Together, Grainger and Fitzgerald are anticipated to help steer Rivus towards its important clinical milestones, including the imminent Phase 2b M-ACCEL study readout in metabolic dysfunction associated with steatohepatitis (MASH).

New Office in South San Francisco

The establishment of the new office in South San Francisco marks a significant expansion for Rivus, placing them in the heart of California’s thriving biotech hub. This strategic move is expected to better position Rivus to tap into local talent and collaborative opportunities in one of the world's leading centers for medical and scientific innovation. The Bay Area has proven to be a fertile ground for biotech ventures, which aligns well with Rivus's ambition to drive the development of cutting-edge therapies.

Advancing CMAs and Pipeline Development

Rivus Pharmaceuticals is at the forefront of advancing a novel class of treatments known as Controlled Metabolic Accelerators (CMAs). These investigational therapies are designed to improve metabolic health in individuals experiencing obesity and related conditions by increasing the resting metabolic rate. In preliminary studies, CMAs have shown promising results in promoting fat loss while preserving muscle mass, addressing many issues associated with traditional weight management therapies.

The lead investigational therapeutic, HU6, has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce liver fat and weight in patients without compromising lean muscle. Given the current crisis surrounding obesity and its related diseases, Rivus is committed to innovating treatments that offer more sustainable and effective results.

As Rivus progresses through its clinical trials, the integration of new leadership and a dedicated office in San Francisco underscores the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the treatment landscape for cardiometabolic diseases. With their strong leadership team and innovative CMAs, Rivus Pharmaceuticals is poised for a bright future in biopharmaceutical development.

For more information, visit Rivus Pharmaceuticals.