Q32 Bio Inc. (Nasdaq: QTTB) announced the appointment of Adrien Sipos, M.D., Ph.D., as Interim Chief Medical Officer, bringing extensive immunology expertise to advance the company's lead program for alopecia areata. Dr. Sipos succeeds Jason Campagna, M.D., Ph.D., who is departing the company.
The leadership transition comes as Q32 Bio progresses its SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating bempikibart (ADX-914), a fully human anti-IL-7Rα antibody, in patients with alopecia areata. The company expects topline results from Part B of the trial in the first half of 2026.
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Sipos brings over 25 years of clinical development and medical affairs leadership experience in immunology and inflammation therapeutics. Most recently, she served as President and Chief Medical Officer at PRAXICO Inc., where she advised biopharmaceutical companies on clinical development and medical affairs initiatives across multiple therapeutic areas.
Prior to PRAXICO, Dr. Sipos held the position of Head of Immunology, Late-Stage Clinical Development at Biogen, Inc., where she established the global clinical development organization for late-stage immunology programs and oversaw development and regulatory activities for multiple mid- to late-stage programs. She also held clinical development and medical affairs roles of increasing responsibility at Sanofi Genzyme and Eli Lilly, with an emphasis on immunology.
"Adrien has a proven track record of success in roles that span clinical development and medical affairs supporting commercial launches. She brings deep I&I expertise that will be invaluable as we advance bempikibart in the ongoing Part B and open-label extension portions of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a clinical trial in patients with alopecia areata," said Jodie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Q32 Bio.
Novel Therapeutic Approach
Bempikibart represents a novel approach to treating alopecia areata by blocking IL-7 and TSLP signaling pathways. The IL-7 and TSLP pathways have been genetically and biologically implicated in driving several T cell-mediated pathological processes in numerous autoimmune diseases.
"Bempikibart, a fully human anti-IL-7Rα antibody that blocks IL-7 and TSLP signaling, is a novel approach to treating alopecia areata and clinical data to date show promising potential for patients in need of new treatment options," said Dr. Sipos.
Addressing Significant Unmet Need
Alopecia areata affects approximately 700,000 people in the United States, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The disease has a life-altering impact on patients and currently has limited treatment options available.
Q32 Bio is a clinical stage biotechnology company whose science targets potent regulators of the adaptive immune system to re-balance immunity. The company focuses on developing innovative therapies for alopecia areata and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Sipos completed postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford, Linacre College, and received a Ph.D. in Clinical Immunology from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. She received an M.D. and completed her medical residency at Debrecen Medical University specializing in clinical immunology and endocrine care.
