Oruka Therapeutics has promoted Laura Sandler to Chief Operating Officer, positioning the clinical-stage biotechnology company to accelerate its pipeline of novel biologics targeting chronic skin diseases. The promotion, announced in July 2025, reflects the company's focus on operational excellence as it advances two lead programs designed to transform treatment paradigms for plaque psoriasis.
Sandler brings over 20 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience to her expanded role, having joined Oruka in 2024 as SVP of Operations. Her track record includes instrumental contributions to CRISPR Therapeutics' exa-cel program, the first CRISPR-based medicine to receive regulatory approval. At CRISPR, she served as SVP of Development Operations, where she accelerated the therapy through clinical development.
"She is a world-class operator who knows how to move programs forward efficiently," said Lawrence Klein, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Oruka. "Her promotion reflects the confidence our Board and I have in her ability to lead execution across our advancing pipeline."
Pipeline Progress and Clinical Milestones
Oruka is developing two potentially best-in-class antibodies engineered to target core mechanisms underlying plaque psoriasis. The company's mission centers on achieving high rates of complete disease clearance with dosing as infrequently as once or twice a year, representing a significant improvement over current treatment regimens.
ORKA-002, a half-life extended IL-17A/F antibody, entered Phase 1 dosing in May 2025. The company expects interim data by year-end, with a Phase 2 study planned for early 2026. This first-in-class antibody is engineered for dosing intervals of two to three times per year and has potential applications in both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The second lead program, ORKA-001, is a half-life-extended IL-23p19 antibody designed for psoriasis treatment with the goal of achieving dosing as infrequently as once or twice yearly. This represents a substantial improvement over existing therapies that require monthly injections.
Strategic Leadership Expansion
Sandler's promotion is part of a broader strategic hiring initiative that has strengthened Oruka's operational capabilities. In 2024, the company added Paul Quinlan as General Counsel, Alan Lada as VP of Investor Relations, and Kristine Ball, CEO of Antiva Biosciences, to its board of directors.
The company also bolstered its technical expertise with the addition of Drs. Joseph Senn and Rajiv Panwar in May 2024, bringing specialized knowledge in nonclinical research and manufacturing operations.
"I'm incredibly proud of what we're building at Oruka and energized by the opportunity ahead," said Sandler. "We are advancing differentiated biologics for psoriatic disease with a sharp focus on execution. I look forward to driving our programs forward with the urgency, rigor, and high quality our patients and investors expect."
Financial Foundation and Partnerships
Since its inception in 2024, Oruka has secured $500 million in funding, including a $200 million private placement in September 2024 and a $275 million raise following its merger with ARCA Biopharma. This substantial capital base provides the company with resources to advance its clinical programs without immediate dilution concerns.
The company has established strategic partnerships with Paragon Therapeutics for antibody discovery and with Apogee/Spyre for technology integration, creating a comprehensive platform for developing its proprietary portfolio of engineered antibodies.
Market Positioning and Competitive Landscape
Oruka's approach addresses significant unmet medical needs in the psoriasis treatment landscape. Current therapies often require frequent dosing, with some treatments requiring monthly injections. The company's half-life extension technology aims to achieve superior pharmacokinetics, potentially offering patients greater freedom from their condition through less frequent dosing.
Both ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 leverage advanced antibody engineering to target different pathways involved in psoriatic disease, providing the company with multiple shots at achieving best-in-class efficacy and convenience profiles.
The promotion of Sandler to COO signals Oruka's commitment to operational excellence as it navigates the complex clinical and regulatory pathways ahead. Her experience in translating preclinical programs into regulatory-approved treatments positions the company to execute on its ambitious development timelines and deliver on its vision of transforming chronic skin disease treatment.
