Solu Therapeutics has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Enda Moran, PhD, MBA as Chief Operating Officer, positioning the biotechnology company to scale operations as it advances its novel CyTAC and TicTAC therapeutic platforms through clinical development.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Boston-based company, which is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead product candidate STX-0712 in patients with resistant/refractory chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and other hematologic malignancies.
Operational Leadership for Platform Expansion
As COO, Dr. Moran will oversee core operational functions including chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC), quality, program management, IT, and facilities management. His role will be particularly crucial in building the infrastructure needed to support Solu's proprietary CyTAC (Cytotoxicity Targeting Chimera) and TicTAC (Therapeutic Index Control Targeting Chimera) platforms as the company approaches multiple clinical and regulatory milestones.
"As we advance our Phase 1 clinical trial of STX-0712 in patients with resistant/refractory chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and other hematologic malignancies, Enda brings outstanding experience in large-scale biomanufacturing and company operations to our leadership team," said Philip J. Vickers, President and CEO of Solu Therapeutics.
Extensive Biomanufacturing Experience
Dr. Moran brings over three decades of experience leading biomanufacturing and technical development across pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. His career includes senior scientific roles at GSK and Wyeth, followed by his position as Senior Director of Biomanufacturing at Pfizer, where he led global teams supporting the development and production of successful commercial therapies including Enbrel, Trumenba, Xyntha, and the Prevnar 13 vaccine.
Following his tenure at Pfizer, Dr. Moran joined Northern Biologics as Vice President and Head of CMC and Manufacturing, where he played an instrumental role in advancing multiple development programs and enabling strategic asset acquisitions by AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim. Most recently, he served as CEO of Matrivax, where he led a successful corporate restructuring and completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial.
Novel Therapeutic Platform Technology
Solu Therapeutics is developing an innovative class of therapeutic agents that uniquely pair small molecules with monoclonal antibodies to eliminate disease-driving cells in cancer, immunology, and other therapeutic areas. The company's proprietary platforms combine the target-binding capability of small molecules with the therapeutic power of biologics.
"The CyTAC and TicTAC platforms are rooted in strong science and have the potential to change the landscape for patients who are desperately in need of new treatment options," said Dr. Moran. "I look forward to applying my experience to maximize the potential of these platforms and bring a new generation of innovative therapies to the patients who need them most."
Clinical Development Focus
The company's lead product candidate, STX-0712, is currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of advanced hematologic malignancies including CMML. The appointment of Dr. Moran signals the company's preparation for scaling operations as it progresses through clinical development phases.
Vickers emphasized the strategic importance of Dr. Moran's expertise, noting that "his expertise in scaling biologic therapeutics and guiding early-stage programs through development will be instrumental as we grow and work to deliver transformative therapies for patients living with cancer, immunological diseases and other serious illnesses."
