#United States #Emeryville #Cell Therapy #Kyverna #Naji Gehchan

Kyverna Therapeutics Welcomes Dr. Naji Gehchan

Kyverna Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on advancing cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, has recently made a notable addition to its executive leadership team. The company has appointed Dr. Naji Gehchan, M.D., MBA, as its new Chief Medical and Development Officer. Dr. Gehchan comes to Kyverna with an impressive track record in late-stage clinical development and commercialization, spanning over twenty years both domestically and internationally.

In his new role, Dr. Gehchan is set to oversee the research, clinical development, and medical affairs at Kyverna. His substantial expertise, particularly in immunology—one of the critical areas for Kyverna’s focus—will be invaluable as the company pushes its lead candidate, KYV-101, further into late-stage development.

Warner Biddle, the Chief Executive Officer of Kyverna, expressed enthusiasm regarding Dr. Gehchan's appointment, highlighting his innovative approach and past successes in executing complex pipeline programs. Biddle noted, “Having a leader with both pharmaceutical and business acumen at the helm of our clinical strategy is essential as we work towards our upcoming clinical milestones.”

Prior to joining Kyverna, Dr. Gehchan had an extensive career at Eli Lilly and Company, where he played an instrumental role in the development of imlunestrant, aiming to provide new hope for breast cancer patients. His achievements at Lilly also extend to leadership roles managing diabetes medications and immunology medicine launches across Europe—a testament to his capability in navigating both the medical and market landscapes.

Dr. Gehchan's impressive academic credentials, including a Doctor of Medicine from Saint Joseph University of Beirut and an MBA from MIT Sloan, further cement his suitability for driving Kyverna’s mission forward. He remarked, “I am excited to contribute to the transformative work Kyverna is doing in cell therapies. The potential of CAR T-cell treatments to redefine care for autoimmune diseases is enormous, and I am eager to leverage my experience in advancing these necessary innovations.”

In an organizational shift around this appointment, Dominic Borie, M.D., Ph.D., will transition from his dual role as founding CEO to Strategic Advisor, continuing to lend his expertise. This shift is designed to integrate Dr. Gehchan seamlessly into the fabric of the company, ensuring a smooth transition towards scaling Kyverna's operational framework.

Kyverna is making strides with its leading candidate, KYV-101, currently in Phase 2 trials for stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis, alongside ongoing multi-center Phase 1/2 trials for lupus nephritis. The firm is poised to explore additional indications for late-stage development leveraging investigator-initiated trials. This proactive approach is reflective of Kyverna’s commitment to innovating within the field of cell therapy as it explores next-generation CAR T-cell therapies targeting B cell-driven autoimmune diseases.

As indicated by Dr. Gehchan's previous achievements, the strategic legacies from his tenure at Lilly have laid a roadmap for success at Kyverna. With the biopharmaceutical landscape rapidly evolving, the leadership and vision that Dr. Gehchan brings could ensure Kyverna remains at the forefront of addressing the unmet needs within the autoimmune disease treatment paradigm. The journey ahead appears promising as Kyverna advances its pivotal clinical milestones and explores the vast potential of cell-based therapies for the many patients who need them.

For further details on Kyverna Therapeutics and their initiatives, visit Kyverna's official website.