#USA #gene therapy #Waltham #Affinia Therapeutics #Hideo Makimura

Affinia Therapeutics Welcomes New Chief Medical Officer

Affinia Therapeutics recently announced the appointment of Dr. Hideo Makimura as its new Chief Medical Officer. This move aims to bolster the company’s innovative efforts in developing gene therapies for severe cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Dr. Makimura, a seasoned physician-scientist and executive with over two decades of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge in early- and late-stage drug development across various therapeutic areas.

Dr. Makimura’s extensive background includes significant expertise in clinical research and development in the biopharmaceutical industry. His track record features contributions to over 12 successful Investigational New Drug and Clinical Trial Applications, which speaks volumes about his capability in navigating the complexities of drug approvals. This is particularly relevant as Affinia plans to advance its flagship investigational drug program, AFTX-201, which targets BAG3 dilated cardiomyopathy.

Rick Modi, CEO of Affinia Therapeutics, emphasized the importance of Dr. Makimura’s experience, stating, "He is a respected thought leader in our industry whose experience will enable designing and executing development pathways that can evaluate meaningful efficacy in first-in-human trials adaptable to pivotal trials to potentially support new drug applications." Under Dr. Makimura’s leadership, Affinia Therapeutics looks forward to accelerating its pipeline of innovative programs focused on treating debilitating cardiovascular and neurological conditions.

Joining from Johnson & Johnson, where he served as Global Vice President and Head of Research and Development for Ophthalmology, Dr. Makimura previously held leadership roles that encompassed both translational and experimental medicine for cardiometabolic diseases. His diverse career highlights include significant positions at Merck and prestigious academic appointments such as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Known for his impactful research contributions, Dr. Makimura is a patent holder with over 60 publications to his credit, reflecting his solid commitment to advancing medical science.

Affinia Therapeutics, noted for its pioneering gene therapy initiatives, continues to develop a pipeline of products aimed at addressing both rare and prevalent diseases. Their innovative approach leverages advanced techniques, including proprietary adeno-associated virus gene therapies, showing promising results in preclinical studies.

In his statement regarding his new role, Dr. Makimura expressed enthusiasm for the challenges ahead, stating, "Affinia is at the forefront of transforming how we treat devastating cardiovascular and neurological diseases with its rationally designed gene therapies. I am excited to join this outstanding team and apply my knowledge and experience to advance our investigational programs to the clinic to achieve our mission of delivering potentially curative therapies to patients in desperate need of better treatments."

With Dr. Makimura's extensive background and the strategic vision of Affinia Therapeutics, the company is poised for a transformative phase in the gene therapy landscape. As they work towards their goal of seeking Investigational New Drug applications later this year, stakeholders are hopeful for outcomes that could revolutionize treatment protocols for life-threatening ailments. The industry will be watching closely as Affinia Therapeutics continues its journey with Dr. Makimura at the helm of its medical leadership.

For more information on Affinia Therapeutics and its innovative approaches, visit their official website.