Altesa BioSciences Strengthens Leadership with New Appointments in Clinical Development
In a significant move within the pharmaceutical industry, Altesa BioSciences has appointed Dr. Brett Haumann and Dr. Gwen Skloot to pivotal positions within the company. This strategic addition underlines the firm’s commitment to advancing therapies aimed at chronic lung diseases, particularly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma.
Dr. Brett Haumann, a figure well-respected for his extensive experience in respiratory drug development, has joined Altesa's Board of Directors as an Independent Director. Dr. Haumann brings with him an impressive 30-year career that includes prominent roles in major pharmaceutical companies, notably as a former leader in the Respiratory Medicines Development at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). His expertise in clinical development spans a range of therapeutic areas, with a focus on respiratory conditions, which will be invaluable as Altesa continues to enhance its clinical programs.
Equally notable is the appointment of Dr. Gwen Skloot as Senior Vice President for Clinical Development. Dr. Skloot, who previously led the COPD and asthma therapeutic area at Chiesi Farmaceutici, has amassed over three decades of experience in the field. Her scholarly contributions and leadership within the American Thoracic Society mark her as a distinguished voice in respiratory medicine. Together with Dr. Haumann, Dr. Skloot's expertise will help steer Altesa's promising investigational study on vaporizing rhinovirus-triggered exacerbations in COPD patients.
These appointments are particularly timely as Altesa gears up to execute its multi-center Phase 2B CARDINAL clinical trial, focusing on vapendavir, an investigational drug that is touted as a transformative treatment for COPD. The CARINDAL study is designed to evaluate how this novel therapy can mitigate the effects of rhinovirus, a leading cause of acute COPD exacerbations.
Moncef Slaoui, Chair of Altesa’s Board and a key player in the fight against COVID-19, emphasized the critical role that both Haumann and Skloot will play at this landmark moment in the company’s journey. Their combined extensive expertise in clinical trials and lung health will not only enhance Altesa’s therapeutic offerings but also reinforce its position as a leader in the respiratory health field.
The developments surrounding vapendavir have generated considerable interest, especially considering recent findings that indicate significant improvements in symptoms and reductions in the duration of illness among COPD patients treated with the drug during rhinovirus challenges. With the goal of preventing up to 50% of COPD exacerbations, vapendavir’s potential impact on patient quality of life and healthcare costs makes it a groundbreaking candidate in respiratory medicine.
The CARDINAL trial aims to include 900 participants from the United States and the United Kingdom, closely mirroring real-world clinical settings while keeping a sharp focus on patient-reported outcomes.
Altesa BioSciences is driven by a mission to revolutionize the management of chronic lung diseases through innovative treatments and comprehensive care. With the new leadership appointments, the company is well-positioned to make significant strides in this vital area of healthcare. Through a combined vision and expertise of its leadership, Altesa is set to enhance its research capabilities and further its mission to provide transformative therapeutic solutions for a patient population in dire need of effective treatments.