LoQus23 Therapeutics Names Industry Veteran Cyrus Mozayeni as Board Chair Following £35M Series A
Key Insights
LoQus23 Therapeutics (search) has appointed Dr. Cyrus Mozayeni, a seasoned biotech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, as Chair of the Board following a successful £35 million Series A fundraise.
The company is advancing novel MSH3 (search) inhibitors targeting triplet repeat expansion diseases, with a focus on developing treatments for Huntington's Disease (search) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (search).
Dr. Mozayeni brings significant expertise in biotech leadership, having recently led Pheon Therapeutics (search) through a $120 million Series B round and previously orchestrating Vedere Bio's successful sale to Novartis.
LoQus23 Therapeutics (search), a Cambridge-based biotech firm developing innovative treatments for triplet repeat expansion diseases, has appointed Dr. Cyrus Mozayeni as Chair of its Board of Directors. The appointment comes on the heels of the company's successful £35 million Series A financing round completed in late 2024.
Strategic Leadership for Clinical Development Phase
The appointment marks a crucial transition for LoQus23 as it prepares to advance its lead compound, a potent allosteric small molecule MSH3 (search) inhibitor, into IND-enabling studies. The company's therapeutic approach focuses on halting pathogenic triplet expansion, which drives the progression of diseases such as Huntington's Disease (search) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (search).
"Following our successful fundraise late last year, the Company is at a pivotal moment as we progress towards IND-enabling studies," stated Dr. David Reynolds, CEO of LoQus23 Therapeutics (search). "Cyrus brings a wealth of world class biotech expertise to guide us at this critical time."
Proven Track Record in Biotech Leadership
Dr. Mozayeni currently serves as CEO of Pheon Therapeutics (search), where he recently secured a $120 million Series B financing round in May 2024. His impressive career spans multiple successful ventures, including:
- Founding and leading Vedere Bio through its acquisition by Novartis
- Co-founding CODA Biotherapeutics and Oncorus
- Serving as VP and Global Head of Business Development at Bluebird Bio, where he played a key role in developing the ABECMA® CAR T-cell program
Scientific Foundation and Development Platform
The company has established a comprehensive platform of assays and small molecule series targeting MutSα (search) and MutSβ (search) inhibitors. Recent scientific publications have validated LoQus23's approach, focusing on treatments targeting somatic CAG repeat expansion.
"The science behind LoQus23's unique approach is hugely promising," Dr. Mozayeni commented. "Several recent high-profile papers provide unequivocal support for the development of treatments targeting somatic CAG repeat expansion – the foundation of our approach."
Investment Backing and Future Direction
The Series A financing round, led by Forbion with participation from SV Health Investors' Dementia Discovery Fund and Novartis Venture Fund, positions LoQus23 to advance its therapeutic programs. The company's platform technology shows promise for addressing multiple triplet repeat diseases, with an initial focus on Huntington's Disease (search).