Crystalys Therapeutics Enhances Leadership Team with Key Appointments as Dotinurad Progresses to Phase 3 Trials

Crystalys Therapeutics Strengthens Leadership Team

Crystalys Therapeutics Inc. is making waves in the biopharmaceutical sector as it enhances its leadership team amid ongoing advancements in clinical trials for its promising gout treatment, dotinurad. The company has appointed Tim Walbert, former Chairman and CEO of Horizon Therapeutics, as the new Chairman of the Board, as part of a series of strategic moves aimed at bolstering its capabilities.

Key Appointments

Tim Walbert joins the board after serving as an Independent Director since January 2026. His experience will be invaluable to Crystalys, especially considering his adeptness at leading biopharmaceutical companies to success, including his pivotal role in guiding Horizon Therapeutics to an acquisition worth approximately $28 billion by Amgen.

Alongside Walbert, Seth H.Z. Fischer, the former CEO of Vivus and a veteran of Johnson & Johnson, has been appointed to the Board of Directors, representing Catalys Pacific. Fischer's extensive background in the pharmaceutical landscape spans over 40 years, making him a notable addition to the team. Furthermore, DeAnne Reid has been promoted to Chief Administrative Officer, a role critical to supporting the company’s growing operations.

Transition and Future Growth

In a related transition, BT Slingsby, M.D., Ph.D., one of the founders and current Executive Chairman, will step back to a Board Observer role, allowing him to continue providing valuable insights while enabling fresh leadership perspectives.

James M. Mackay, Ph.D., the CEO and Co-Founder of Crystalys, expressed confidence in the new appointments, explaining that the experience and leadership roles of these individuals are essential for steering the advancement of dotinurad through its registrational program. Mackay highlighted the significant unmet medical needs of patients with gout, emphasizing that this leadership transition positions Crystalys to effectively address such requirements.

Insights into Gout and Dotinurad

Gout, a common form of inflammatory arthritis, poses serious treatment challenges. Patients often encounter difficulties with first-line therapies, leading to considerable gaps in effective care. Dotinurad, positioned as a second-line treatment, aims to provide significant advantages over existing options, especially for patients unresponsive or intolerant to allopurinol, the typical first-choice medication.

Walbert elaborated on dotinurad’s potential, noting its rigorous clinical program. This small-molecule product candidate is intended to serve as a once-daily, selective urate reabsorption inhibitor, helping to control uric acid levels effectively. With its prior approval in Japan and several other Asian markets since 2020, dotinurad is now entering its crucial Phase 3 trials in the United States and Europe, including the RUBY and TOPAZ studies, intended to gather comprehensive data on its efficacy and safety.

In addition to the ongoing Phase 3 program, Crystalys is conducting the AMETHYST Phase 2 trial focused on assessing dotinurad's effectiveness for patients resistant to xanthine oxidase inhibitors or previous uricase therapies.

Crystalys Therapeutics - The Future Ahead

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Crystalys Therapeutics aims to revolutionize treatment options for gout patients through innovative research and development. The recent changes in leadership symbolize a proactive strategy towards addressing growing market needs and enhancing its organizational structure. By harnessing the vast experiences of its new leaders, Crystalys is poised to become a formidable player in the biopharmaceutical industry.

For more details regarding Crystalys Therapeutics and its ongoing projects, visit www.crystalystx.com and follow them on social media platforms.