Repertoire Immune Medicines Welcomes Dr. Robert Andtbacka as New Chief Medical Officer
Repertoire Immune Medicines is making headlines with the recent appointment of Dr. Robert Andtbacka, a well-respected figure in oncology, as their Chief Medical Officer. This strategic move comes at a crucial time as the company prepares to transition into a clinical-stage entity, readying itself for its first in-human clinical trial of RPTR-1-201, a T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific therapy aimed at revolutionizing cancer treatment.
In a statement from Torben Straight Nissen, Chairman and CEO of Repertoire, he expressed excitement about Dr. Andtbacka joining the leadership team, emphasizing the significance of his extensive experience in driving novel therapies through clinical development. This experience will be vital as Repertoire moves toward initiating a Phase 1/2 clinical trial involving multiple cancer indications. Dr. Andtbacka's expertise will play a key role in achieving Repertoire's goal of delivering transformative T cell-targeted therapies to patients.
The RPTR-1-201 is a product of Repertoire's proprietary DECODE™ platform, designed to target a unique peptide that is selectively presented on various solid tumors. This innovative approach enhances the potential effectiveness of the therapy across a broad spectrum of cancer types. Dr. Andtbacka has expressed enthusiasm about joining Repertoire at this pivotal moment, motivated by the company's vision to harness the immune system's capabilities with precision. He looks forward to collaborating with the team to push forward the development of groundbreaking therapies for patients who have few options left.
Dr. Andtbacka’s illustrious career spans over 20 years, during which he has established himself as a leader in therapeutic research and development. Prior to joining Repertoire, he served as Chief Medical Officer at HiFiBiO Therapeutics, where he oversaw the strategic development of immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease pipelines. His previous tenure at Seven and Eight Biopharmaceuticals involved spearheading the development of innovative immunotherapies and oncolytic viruses, contributing to the acquisition of crucial clinical assets by Eikon Therapeutics.
Early in his career, Dr. Andtbacka was a tenured professor in surgical oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where he co-directed the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Program. Furthermore, he has held roles in clinical leadership as the Chief Medical Officer for Vestan Medical Imaging, where he managed preclinical and clinical development.
Dr. Andtbacka holds an MD, CM from McGill University, complemented by a residency in General Surgery and a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the renowned University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His credentials include being a board-certified surgeon and earning the distinctions of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).
Repertoire Immune Medicines is dedicated to deciphering the unique immune codes that govern our health and disease responses. Their DECODE™ platform distinguishes them in the biotechnology landscape by providing a comprehensive understanding of T cell receptor interactions. Established in 2019 by Flagship Pioneering, Repertoire operates from both Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Zurich, with a mission to develop potentially transformative T cell-targeted therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
As Repertoire embarks on this new chapter under Dr. Andtbacka's leadership, the oncology field watches closely, anticipating the innovations that may arise from this dynamic team. With their cutting-edge research and development efforts, the company's future in the fight against cancer looks promising, especially for patients in need of effective treatment options.