Avalo Therapeutics has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Rita Jain, M.D., to its Board of Directors as the clinical-stage biotechnology company advances its lead anti-inflammatory asset through Phase 2 development for hidradenitis suppurativa.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Wayne, Pennsylvania-based company, which is conducting the Phase 2 LOTUS trial of AVTX-009, a high-affinity anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody, in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. The trial is expected to deliver results in the middle of next year.
Strategic Leadership Addition
"Rita's extensive experience spanning clinical development, regulatory strategy, and executive leadership at multiple development-stage biopharma companies will be invaluable as we continue to advance AVTX-009," said Michael Heffernan, Chairman of the Board. The company is taking what Heffernan described as "a thoughtful, capital-efficient approach" to its broader development strategy.
Dr. Jain expressed enthusiasm about joining the company at this critical juncture. "I was drawn to this opportunity given AVTX-009's proven mechanism of action, its potential to become a best-in-disease treatment in HS, and its potential in addressing unmet needs in a number of additional large inflammatory diseases," she said.
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Jain brings over two decades of leadership experience in biopharmaceutical development, clinical strategy, and regulatory affairs across multiple therapeutic areas, including immunology, inflammation, nephrology, and rare diseases. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at ChemoCentryx, where she advanced development and supported commercialization of Tavneos (avacopan), a first-in-class treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis. She also supported the company's acquisition by Amgen in 2022.
Prior to ChemoCentryx, Dr. Jain held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Akebia Therapeutics. Her career also includes key leadership positions at major pharmaceutical companies including AbbVie, Pfizer, and Immunovant, where she oversaw global development programs, regulatory interactions, and clinical operations for multiple therapeutic candidates. She currently serves on the boards of Celldex Therapeutics and AnaptysBio.
AVTX-009 Development Program
AVTX-009 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG4) that binds to interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with high affinity and neutralizes its activity. IL-1β serves as a central driver in the inflammatory process, and overproduction or dysregulation of this cytokine is implicated in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The company notes that IL-1β represents a major, validated target for therapeutic intervention, with evidence suggesting that inhibition of IL-1β could be effective in hidradenitis suppurativa and a variety of inflammatory diseases across dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology.
Clinical Development Focus
Avalo Therapeutics positions itself as a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on treating immune dysregulation. The company's lead asset, AVTX-009, targets inflammatory diseases with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs across multiple therapeutic areas.
Dr. Jain highlighted her experience in "navigating strategic growth in immunology and inflammation across multiple indications and stages of development" as she looks forward to supporting the leadership team and collaborating with fellow Board members to bring potential best-in-disease treatments to patients in need.
