Orbital Therapeutics has appointed Adam Raff, M.D., Ph.D., as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development, positioning the biotechnology company to advance its lead RNA medicine program toward clinical trials in 2026. Dr. Raff will oversee Orbital's clinical and regulatory strategy and execution while serving as a key member of the executive leadership team.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for Orbital as the company progresses OTX-201, its potential best-in-class program for B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, through IND-enabling studies following encouraging preclinical data. Clinical development is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.
Strategic Leadership for RNA Medicine Platform
"Adam brings exceptional depth of experience in translating innovative science into impactful therapeutics, with a proven track record of successfully leading clinical development programs from discovery through pivotal trials," said Ron Philip, Chief Executive Officer at Orbital. "His expertise in immunology and inflammatory diseases, combined with his unique background as a practicing physician-scientist and drug developer, makes him ideally suited to advance Orbital's diverse RNA medicine portfolio."
Dr. Raff expressed enthusiasm about joining the company's mission to develop next-generation RNA therapeutics. "Orbital's mission to develop a new generation of in vivo RNA medicines represents an extraordinary opportunity to transform how we treat human disease," he said. "The company's first-in-kind platform at the intersection of RNA technology, delivery methods, and AI-guided design has tremendous potential to address unmet medical needs across multiple therapeutic areas."
Extensive Drug Development Experience
Dr. Raff brings over a decade of experience in drug development and clinical research, spanning early discovery through late-stage clinical development, with extensive expertise in immunology and inflammatory disorders. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Montai Therapeutics, where he advanced multiple programs including the lead asset from discovery to IND-enabling studies.
His career includes progressive leadership roles at EQRx (acquired by Revolution Medicines in 2023) as Vice President of Immunology and Senior Medical Director, and at LEO Pharma as Director of Translational Medicine. Dr. Raff earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in Systems Biology with an immunology focus from the University of Southern California and completed his dermatology residency through the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program.
Innovative RNA Medicine Platform
Orbital Therapeutics is advancing a new generation of RNA medicines designed to reprogram cells in vivo, treating diseases at their source. This approach offers patients a simpler, safer, and more accessible alternative to current complex treatments. The company's platform integrates circular and linear RNA, targeted delivery, and AI-guided design to develop durable, programmable therapies tailored to the distinct biology of each disease.
The company's lead program, OTX-201, targets autoimmune disease through B cell depletion to reset the immune system. Orbital's platform is designed for expansion into broader autoimmune indications, oncology, next-generation vaccines, and protein therapeutics, positioning the company to address multiple therapeutic areas with its RNA medicine approach.
