Uniquity Bio, a clinical-stage drug development company backed by Blackstone Life Sciences, has appointed Will Kane as President and CEO to lead the company's strategic priorities and organizational growth as it advances its lead asset solrikitug toward Phase III development. Kane will support the organization as it completes three ongoing Phase II trials and prepares to move rapidly into Phase III.
Kane succeeds Brian Lortie, co-founder and former CEO, who stepped down from the company in June 2025. The new CEO brings more than three decades of biopharmaceutical leadership experience and a track record of building high-performing teams, leading transformational change, and delivering exceptional business results across a range of therapeutic areas.
Leadership Transition and Industry Experience
Prior to joining Uniquity Bio, Kane served as president and chief commercial officer at Anthos Therapeutics, which was recently acquired by Novartis. He has also held senior leadership roles at Karuna Therapeutics, BioXcel Therapeutics, Allergan, and Pfizer.
"Will's leadership, combined with his operational and commercial experience, are the right fit for Uniquity at this stage of the organization's evolution and development," said Bill Meury, chairman of the Uniquity Bio board of directors. "The company has tremendous potential, with a seasoned leadership team, an exciting asset in development and a real need for solrikitug in several different indications."
Solrikitug Development Program
Solrikitug is a highly potent monoclonal antibody targeting Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP), a clinically validated driver of inflammatory response. The therapy is currently advancing through separate Phase II trials in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Uniquity is pursuing potential best-in-class efficacy and convenient dose optimization across these conditions. By preventing the binding of TSLP to its receptors, solrikitug has potential utility in a wide array of immunology and inflammation diseases.
The company is also in the process of identifying bispecific candidates for clinical testing, combining solrikitug with other key inflammatory targets to enhance efficacy and/or broaden the applicable patient population in specific indications.
Strategic Vision and Market Opportunity
"Uniquity is in a strong position today — clinically, operationally and financially — and Will's capabilities and expertise will help maximize the success of solrikitug," said Kiran Reddy, Uniquity Bio board member and senior managing director at Blackstone Life Sciences. Reddy also acknowledged founding CEO Brian Lortie for his leadership and vision, which enabled the company to evolve quickly into an influential biotech advancing a very important medicine in a large market.
Kane expressed confidence in the company's potential: "I am incredibly confident in the Uniquity Bio team and the potentially transformative impact of solrikitug as a highly potent and valuable anti-TSLP therapy. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to drive both the strategy and execution that meets this important moment for the company."
The new CEO emphasized the clinical significance of the company's work, stating that each step forward brings the company closer to getting a much-needed medicine into the hands of millions of people suffering from underserved indications.
Uniquity Bio is specifically structured to identify and advance therapeutic programs in immunology and inflammation with the scientific rigor and quality standards of a global pharma company, the operational agility of a biotech startup, and a laser focus on improving patients' lives.
