Pathios Therapeutics Welcomes Dr. Jon Wigginton to Its Board as Non-Executive Director

Pathios Therapeutics Welcomes Jon Wigginton, M.D. as Non-Executive Director

Pathios Therapeutics Limited, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm dedicated to advancing the first clinical GPR65 antagonist program in cancer treatment, proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Jon Wigginton, M.D., to its board of directors as a non-executive director. Dr. Wigginton is a globally recognized leader in the field of immunotherapy drug development, bringing a wealth of experience gathered over nearly three decades in various prestigious pharmaceutical and biotech organizations.

Currently serving as the President of Research and Development at Bright Peak Therapeutics, which specializes in immuno-oncology, Dr. Wigginton leads the development of pioneering multi-functional PD-1 inhibitors. His impressive background includes significant roles at Cullinan Oncology where he acted as Senior Advisor and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, as well as Chief Medical Officer at MacroGenics. At MacroGenics, he played a pivotal role in building a fully-integrated clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy organization, showcasing his strong leadership abilities.

Dr. Wigginton's extensive expertise also extends to Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), where he held the titles of Therapeutic Area Head and Executive Director of Immuno-Oncology Early Clinical Research. In these roles, he was instrumental in the early clinical developments for several highly recognized immuno-oncology portfolio agents, such as the checkpoint inhibitors Opdivo® and Yervoy®, among others. Notably, he co-founded and co-led the BMS International Immuno-Oncology Network (IION), further emphasizing his commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

In addition to his industry contributions, Dr. Wigginton served as President of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and spent 15 years at the National Cancer Institute, where he directed the Investigational Biologics Section within the Center for Cancer Research. His current board memberships also include roles at Sutro Biopharma, underscoring his esteemed reputation in the oncology community.

Pathios CEO Paul Higham remarked, "Jon is a recognized leader in the field of immuno-oncology drug development. His invaluable expertise will undoubtedly enhance our team as we progress our first-in-class oral small molecule GPR65 antagonist programs. His joining coincides with an exciting phase as we advance our lead asset, PTT-4256, through ongoing clinical trials focusing on solid tumors. We look forward to leveraging his extensive drug development experience to optimize our initiatives."

Dr. Wigginton expressed his enthusiasm for joining Pathios Therapeutics, stating, "The dedicated team and unique approach to combat cancer position Pathios as a highly promising player in the immuno-oncology landscape. I am eager to support the team's efforts as they advance PTT-4256 in their RAISIC-1 clinical trial, exploring innovative treatments to overcome tumor-induced immunosuppression and drive effective immune-mediated cancer cell elimination."

Pathios Therapeutics is pioneering a novel therapeutic strategy by targeting the GPR65 receptor, known for its immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment. Their lead drug candidate, PTT-4256, is an oral small molecule that aims to counteract GPR65-mediated immune polarization, thereby enhancing the body’s anti-tumor immune response. The company's internal analyses have linked diminished GPR65 function with improved survival rates in various solid tumors, presenting a promising therapeutic target.

Currently, preclinical results for PTT-4256 indicate remarkable drug-like characteristics and significant anti-tumor activity as a monotherapy. The ongoing RAISIC-1 trial investigates this promising agent's effectiveness in treating diverse advanced solid tumors while Pathios aspires to make strides in the immuno-oncology field.

In summary, the addition of Dr. Wigginton to Pathios Therapeutics' board is a strategic move aimed at propelling the company’s innovative cancer therapies, leveraging his extensive experience to create impactful treatment options for patients battling cancer. Pathios is committed to reshaping the landscape of cancer therapy with groundbreaking drug candidates like PTT-4256 and the leadership of experts like Dr. Jon Wigginton.

For more information about Pathios Therapeutics, please visit Pathios Official Site.