#Sweden #Lund #Asgard Therapeutics #Shane Olwill #AT-108

Asgard Therapeutics Enhances Leadership

Asgard Therapeutics, a groundbreaking biotech firm specializing in direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy, has recently appointed Shane Olwill as Chief Development Officer (CDO). This appointment comes at a critical juncture for the company as it prepares to advance its lead asset, AT-108, towards clinical trials.

Shane Olwill is a recognized expert in the field of immunology with over two decades of experience in drug discovery and development. Prior to joining Asgard, he held a pivotal role at Pieris Pharmaceuticals, overseeing various clinical programs in immuno-oncology and respiratory diseases. His extensive expertise is expected to significantly bolster Asgard's efforts as it transitions into a full-fledged drug development organization.

AT-108 represents a first-of-its-kind therapy that utilizes off-the-shelf cell reprogramming techniques to induce robust anti-cancer immune responses in patients. By enabling tumor cells to express their own antigens, this innovative therapy fosters a tailored immune response that is personalized to each individual's cancer. This groundbreaking approach was recently validated by strong pre-clinical proof-of-concept studies published in the prestigious journal, Science.

During Olwill's tenure at Pieris, he was instrumental in progressing nine clinical programs into trial phases, establishing himself as a key figure in the advancement of immunotherapy solutions. His previous experience as Director of Research at Fusion Antibodies further solidified his leadership qualities, where he developed a robust research team and technology platform.

In response to his appointment, Cristiana Pires, Co-founder and CEO of Asgard Therapeutics, expressed her enthusiasm for Shane joining the team. She highlighted his extensive background in pipeline development, especially in immuno-oncology, which complements the existing leadership team at Asgard.

Olwill, reflecting on his new role, stated, “Asgard's innovative in vivo cell reprogramming technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy. I am thrilled to be joining a company that is backed by robust scientific data and high-caliber investors, with the objective of bringing AT-108 to clinical trials.”

Chair Martin Bonde acknowledged that Olwill's expertise will be crucial as the company prepares to conduct IND-enabling studies and CMC development for AT-108, ensuring a seamless transition to clinical applications.

About Asgard Therapeutics

Asgard Therapeutics is a private biotech company focused on developing powerful gene therapies that trigger personalized immune responses against cancer. With strong backing from major investors, including Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Asgard aims to cultivate a portfolio of off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapies that cater to the nuanced needs of cancer patients.

About AT-108

AT-108 is an innovative gene therapy that reprograms tumor cells to become potent antigen-presenting cells, thereby activating a more effective immune response against tumors. Utilizing a replication-deficient adenoviral vector, this therapy works by introducing proprietary reprogramming factors into cancer cells, effectively rewiring their gene expression and enabling them to present tumor antigens. By doing so, AT-108 represents a promising frontier in personalized cancer treatment.

As Asgard Therapeutics fortifies its leadership with experts like Shane Olwill, the future of cancer immunotherapy looks increasingly promising, paving the way for innovative treatment options that could dramatically improve patient outcomes.