EVEXTA-BIO
19.6.2024 17:08:31 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Evexta Bio SA, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class therapies in oncology, announces the appointment of Shawn M. Leland, PharmD, RPh as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Shawn is an accomplished pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Shawn has successfully advanced novel oncology assets and programs, raised substantial capital for various ventures, negotiated major global licensing agreements, and established strategic partnerships. His extensive experience in leading biotech startups, raising capital and executing strategic collaborations will be a major benefit to Evexta Bio in its growth and corporate development strategy.
Most recently, Shawn was the Interim CEO and Board Director of ForeBio, where he led the company through a phase 2 study with registrational intent and closed a $75M Series D financing.
In July 2019, Shawn founded Elevation Oncology, where he served as Chief Business Officer and Board Director, and later as CEO until January 2023. During his mandate, the company advanced multiple novel targeted oncology assets. Shawn raised over $200M in capital, which included a $100M IPO. Shawn grew Elevation Oncology from zero to more than 50 employees.
Shawn was Head of Business Development at Verastem Oncology from 2017 – 2019 and Argos Therapeutics from 2013 – 2017 where he played a pivotal role in each company’s corporate development strategy leading multiple partnerships and licensing transactions. Shawn started his career with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly. Shawn holds a PharmD from Albany College of Pharmacy.
Alain Chevallier, former Chairman of the board of Directors of Evexta Bio, said: “I'm pleased to be handing over the chairmanship to a great professional of the oncology and biotech field as Shawn, who brings new valuable perspectives to Evexta Bio, and I will continue, as Vice-Chairman, to be fully committed to the success of the Company.”
Scott Filosi, CEO of Evexta Bio added: “I am delighted to welcome Shawn as Chairman of the Board of Directors. His experience and expertise in oncology and strategic development of biotechnology companies are real assets for Evexta Bio. I’m looking forward to working with him to accelerate the mission of Evexta Bio.”
Shawn M. Leland, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Evexta Bio, said: "I’m looking forward to joining the team of Evexta Bio in such a pivotal moment of its development. Evexta Bio has tremendous potential and I thank the members of the Board of Directors for their trust.”
About Evexta Bio (https://www.evextabio.com)
Evexta Bio is a biopharmaceutical company exploring the new frontiers of oncology in search of daring novel therapeutic approaches with the potential to save lives. Now, in the clinic, the company is currently developing two proprietary therapeutic assets with novel mechanisms of action across several indications:
- Rupitasertib, an optimized S6K inhibitor with efficient AKT1/AKT3 control of compensatory AKT feed-back loop. The oral anti-tumor agent is expected to enter phase 2 clinical trial in ESR1mt ER+ HER2- advanced breast cancer.
- EVX020, a sole-in-class KIF20A kinesin inhibitor having shown potent nonclinical efficacy in hematological and solid tumor models. Two strategies are under assessment, development of EVX020 as a prodrug and as a payload for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).
Founded by Truffle Capital, supported by Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany) as shareholder, Evexta Bio has forged alliances with leaders in academia and industry, including CNRS, Paoli-Calmettes Institute (Marseille, France) and Merck KGaA. The company is supported by seasoned management team, board of directors and medical advisory board.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240619024966/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Landmark Global Galderma Survey Shows 9 out of 10 People Are Affected by Skin Quality Concerns7.7.2026 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
World’s most extensive skin quality profiling survey of more than 11,000 people across Europe, Asia, and the Americas finds that nine out of ten people are affected by skin quality concerns, with the most important attributes of good skin quality identified as smooth, hydrated and glowing skin1 Results show that skin quality has an impact on quality of life for 85% of people, with more than a third feeling self-conscious, insecure or anxious due to poor skin quality1 In response to clinicians’ calls for a universal assessment tool to help address these concerns, Galderma supported leading experts in the development of the Skin Quality Assessment Scale; a holistic, science-based tool to evaluate skin quality comprehensively and guide personalized, long-term treatment planning2 At Galderma, we champion skin quality by providing insights, tools, and solutions to better understand and address a wide spectrum of concerns, helping people take pride and feel comfortable in their own skin at e
Morinaga Milk Achieves Self-Affirmed GRAS Status for LAC-Living+™, Expanding U.S. Opportunities for Its Postbiotic Ingredient7.7.2026 04:00:00 CEST | Press release
Clinical evidence–backed postbiotic supports mood and well-being with formulation flexibility for diverse applications Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:2264), a leading Japanese dairy and functional ingredient company, today announced that it has achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the United States for LAC-Living+™ (L. helveticus MCC1848), its proprietary postbiotic ingredient. This milestone expands the commercial availability of LAC-Living+ in the U.S. market and enables its use in dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages, supporting the development of products designed to address growing consumer demand for health and well-being solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260706806943/en/ Growing Interest in Postbiotics and Mental Well-Being Consumer interest in proactive health management has expanded significantly in recent years, alongside increasing aw
Access Advance Welcomes New Licensors to the Video Distribution Patent Pool7.7.2026 02:00:00 CEST | Press release
Access Advance LLC today announced that Sharp, M&K Holdings, Tagivan and 9 other patent owners who own substantial video codec patent portfolios that cover the core technologies behind video decoding, processing, and streaming media delivery, have joined the Video Distribution Patent Pool (VDP Pool) in the first half of 2026. "The addition of all of these new Licensors’ patent portfolios is a real win for both the VDP Pool and our many existing and future Licensees,” said Peter Moller, CEO of Access Advance. “These companies have broad and deep patent portfolios and further enhance the program’s market leading position in resolving the licensing issues around the use of modern video codecs across all the diverse business models of internet video streaming.” The following patent holders have joined the VDP Pool as Licensors in the first half of 2026: Digital Insights Inc. Hanbat National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Hanwha Vision Co., Ltd. Industry-Academy Coopera
Real Chemistry Announces New Asia Pacific Hub with Acquisition of Spurwing Communications in Singapore7.7.2026 01:00:00 CEST | Press release
Expanded footprint advances the company’s global strategy in key growth region for healthcare and pharma brands Real Chemistry, a global leader in AI- and insights-driven healthcare communications, today announced the acquisition of Spurwing Communications, establishing the company’s first Asia Pacific (APAC) strategic hub in Singapore. This milestone strengthens Real Chemistry’s global strategy and presence in APAC, enhancing its ability to support healthcare organizations. Combining deep market expertise with globally integrated capabilities across analytics, medical communications, advertising and strategic communications, the company is well positioned to deliver more connected, local insight-driven support — ultimately helping clients better reach and engage healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers across the region. “APAC is fast becoming one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions for healthcare innovation and access to life-improving therapies,” said Ka
Vertex to Acquire Crinetics Pharmaceuticals6.7.2026 22:04:00 CEST | Press release
- Crinetics adds potential best-in-class commercialized and Phase 3 endocrinology assets with ~$5 billion peak sales opportunity to Vertex’s portfolio - - PALSONIFY®, Crinetics’ recently launched, first and only, once-daily oral therapy for adults with acromegaly has demonstrated strong and growing early uptake - - Atumelnant, a once-daily oral adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor antagonist in Phase 3 development for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), has shown unique and transformative potential to both normalize androgen levels and enable management of patients with physiologic levels of glucocorticoids, the true goal of CAH management; atumelnant has also demonstrated therapeutic potential in patients with Cushing’s syndrome - - Acquisition adds to Vertex’s innovation pipeline, accelerates Vertex’s revenue growth and enhances long-term earnings profile - - Vertex to host investor call today, July 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET - Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) and C
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom