Melbourne-based Percheron Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:PER, OTC:PERCF) has strengthened its executive leadership with two key appointments as the company prepares to advance its lead cancer immunotherapy candidate, HMBD-002, into phase II clinical development. The biotech company named Dr Eugene Kennedy as Chief Medical Officer and Valentina Dubljevic as Chief Technology Officer, positioning itself for the planned commencement of phase II trial recruitment in 2026.
Strategic Leadership Additions
Dr Kennedy brings more than a decade of clinical and industry experience in oncology to his new role. After completing surgical oncology training at Johns Hopkins, he served as associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia before transitioning to biotech leadership roles in 2013. Most recently, he held the position of Chief Medical Officer at US-listed Carisma Therapeutics, where he oversaw early clinical development of immunotherapy programs.
"I am excited to join Percheron at this important point in its development," Kennedy said. "For much of the past decade, I have been focused on bringing novel immuno-oncology therapies into and through clinical trials, and I look forward to applying that experience to the development of HMBD-002. The need for new therapeutic options in cancer remains substantial, and I very much hope that HMBD-002 can provide a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium."
Manufacturing and Technical Development Focus
Dubljevic, who will be based in Melbourne, brings a unique combination of academic and commercial expertise to her CTO role. Following a 12-year research career at Monash University, she transitioned to industry in 2008, working with several ASX-listed companies. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Development at Patrys Ltd (ASX:PAB).
Her primary focus at Percheron will center on manufacturing and technical development for HMBD-002, areas she identified as critical for efficient program advancement while maintaining regulatory compliance.
"Among other responsibilities, my near-term focus is on making sure that our drug candidate can be manufactured as efficiently, cost-effectively and reliably as possible, while also ensuring that we are fully compliant with the latest regulatory requirements from agencies such as the US FDA," Dubljevic explained. "I look forward to working closely with the Percheron team to move HMBD-002 into a phase II trial in CY2026."
HMBD-002 Program Advancement
HMBD-002 represents a monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint regulator VISTA. The therapy has successfully completed phase I testing, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and tolerability data in advanced cancers. This positive safety data forms the foundation for Percheron's planned phase II clinical trial, with recruitment expected to commence in 2026.
Percheron CEO Dr James Garner emphasized the strategic importance of these leadership additions. "We are delighted to welcome Gene and Valentina to the team," Garner said. "Their respective appointments greatly strengthen our bench strength, and their skills and experience will be invaluable as we move forward with HMBD-002. We see enormous potential in the drug, and these critical appointments will help us to realise that opportunity for shareholders over the months ahead."
The appointments come at a pivotal moment for Percheron as it positions itself to capture momentum in the competitive immuno-oncology field, with HMBD-002 representing a potentially significant addition to cancer treatment options targeting the VISTA pathway.
