Ex-AVEO Oncology Executive Takes COO Job At Biotech Startup Scholar Rock
Scholar Rock Appoints Elan Z. Ezickson as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Corporate Development
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scholar Rock, a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing niche modulators that selectively target protein growth factors in the disease microenvrionment, today announced the appointment of Elan Z. Ezickson as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Corporate Development. Mr. Ezickson has more than 20 years of experience in building leading companies in the biotechnology industry. As Scholar Rock’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of Corporate Development, Mr. Ezickson will lead the company’s business strategy, operations, corporate development and new product planning functions.
“I am thrilled to welcome Elan to Scholar Rock and look forward to our working together to rapidly demonstrate the value of Scholar Rock’s novel niche modulators in treating a variety of diseases with high unmet medical need,” said Nagesh Mahanthappa, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scholar Rock. “Elan’s extensive experience in all aspects of company building, product development, financing and business development, will be highly valuable to our company and positions us to realize the full potential of Scholar Rock’s exceptional scientific assets.”
Mr. Ezickson most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at AVEO Pharmaceuticals, where he built and oversaw commercial operations, technical operations, medical affairs, corporate development, program management and legal affairs. While at AVEO, Mr. Ezickson led the formation of numerous collaborations around AVEO’s clinical development and translational research programs with strategic partners including Astellas, Janssen Biotech, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Schering-Plough and Biogen Idec, raising more than $350 million in proceeds. AVEO’s co-development/co-commercialization alliance with Astellas Pharmaceuticals was the recipient of the Scrip 2011 Licensing Deal of the Year Award. Prior to joining AVEO in 2003, he spent nine years in leadership roles at Biogen that included President of Biogen Canada, Program Executive and Associate General Counsel. Mr. Ezickson holds a BA in Political Science from Yale University and a JD from the Columbia University School of Law.
“Joining Scholar Rock at this time presents a unique opportunity to participate in building a premier biotechnology company,” said Mr. Ezickson. “It is rare to find a company at this stage that has been founded on true scientific breakthroughs and that is rapidly developing the capabilities to translate those discoveries directly into novel therapies that will make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Nagesh and the Board in realizing this vision.”
About Scholar Rock
Scholar Rock is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing niche modulators, a novel class of biologic therapies that selectively modulate the activation of growth factors in the disease microenvironment. The Company’s initial proprietary and partnered drug discovery programs target specific growth factors, including members of the TGF-beta superfamily, which are present in the microenvironments of significant diseases such as fibrosis, diseases of the musculoskeletal systems and autoimmune diseases. Scholar Rock was founded based on discoveries made by its scientific founders, Professors Tim Springer, PhD, and Leonard Zon, MD, of Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, related to the molecular mechanisms of growth factor activation. The company is backed by leading life sciences investors, including Polaris Partners, Prof. Timothy Springer, ARCH Venture Partners, EcoR1 Capital and The Kraft Group.
Contact:
The Yates Network
Kathryn Morris, 845-635-9828
kathryn@theyatesnetwork.com
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