NodThera, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on chronic inflammatory diseases, has appointed Elisabeth Björk, M.D., Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. The appointment comes as the company advances its Phase 2 RESOLVE-1 trial of oral NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor NT-0796 in patients with obesity.
Strategic Leadership Addition
Björk brings more than 20 years of experience in late-stage clinical development, global regulatory submissions and successful drug commercialization, with particular expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. She most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of Obesity franchise at AstraZeneca, where she led the development of AZD5004, a small molecule oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, and drove portfolio strategy development for obesity, weight management, diabetes, and cardiorenal protection.
During her tenure at AstraZeneca, Björk held senior CVRM (Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism) leadership roles, including SVP, Head of late phase CVRM R&D. In this capacity, she was instrumental in transforming the disease area from treating individual risk factors to providing broad cardiorenal protection, bringing several blockbuster drugs to patients. Her leadership was pivotal in building AstraZeneca's CVRM portfolio and establishing one of the industry's leading R&D sites in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Clinical Development Focus
The appointment aligns with NodThera's advancement of brain-penetrant NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors for treating chronic inflammatory diseases. The company's lead clinical candidates are oral, small molecule NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors that have demonstrated differentiated clinical profiles with significant anti-inflammatory effects and high brain penetration.
Daniel Swisher, Chief Executive Officer of NodThera, emphasized the strategic value of Björk's appointment: "Her exceptional track record in the obesity and broader cardiometabolic fields, setting and executing strategy, and bringing transformative medicines to patients, will be invaluable as we advance our brain-penetrant NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors further through clinical development."
Therapeutic Approach
NodThera's approach centers on selective modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome to reset the body's metabolic pathways. Björk commented on the therapeutic potential: "The potential to selectively modulate the NLRP3 inflammasome to reset the body's metabolic pathways represents a compelling therapeutic opportunity with significant implications for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases."
Board Experience and Qualifications
Björk currently serves on the boards of several public and private companies, including Rocket Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RCKT), Pharvaris N.V. (NASDAQ: PHVS), Vicore Pharma AB (STO: VICO), Camurus AB (STO: CAMX), and Ousia Pharma ApS. She holds an M.D. from the Karolinska Institute and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from Uppsala University, where she also served as Associate Professor of Medicine.
The company is backed by top-tier investors including 5AM Ventures, Blue Owl Capital, Epidarex Capital, F-Prime Capital, Novo Holdings, Sanofi Ventures and Sofinnova Partners. NodThera is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with additional operations in Cambridge, UK.
