SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Esker Therapeutics, a Foresite Labs-incubated precision medicine company that is reimagining the discovery, development and treatment of autoimmune disorders, today announced the appointment of Jeff Douglas as vice president of clinical operations. Mr. Douglas is a proven leader in the biotechnology industry with decades of experience leading clinical operations and drug development efforts. In addition, the company announced today that it has opened operations at a new, 14,000 square foot office space in South San Francisco.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to Esker as we work to advance our lead program, as well as additional pipeline programs focused on delivering precision medicines for patients with autoimmune diseases,” said June Lee, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Esker. “Having worked with Jeff for many years, I am confident in his ability to lead successful teams and advance novel programs through various stages of development. With a growing team and the opening of our new office space, we are well-positioned to execute our vision of rewriting the treatment of autoimmune diseases.”

“The Esker precision analytics platform has the potential to inform and uncover many new medicines that are targeted to specific patient populations, increasing the probability of treatment success,” said Mr. Douglas. “I have been impressed by what June and the team have built in a short amount of time and am excited to partner with them to advance a precision approach for autoimmune disease that could significantly impact future treatment for patients.”

Jeff Douglas brings more than 25 years in clinical research and development to Esker Therapeutics. Mr. Douglas joins Esker from MyoKardia, where he served as head of clinical operations. Most recently, he successfully led the global development operations transition and integration with Bristol Myers Squibb. Prior to his tenure at MyoKardia, Mr. Douglas was the program director of Genentech’s research and development clinical operations where he oversaw programs focused on cancer immunotherapy and hematologic malignancies and helped to lead more than 30 compounds through preclinical development into late-stage development. Mr. Douglas began his career as a practicing pharmacist after graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

About Esker Therapeutics

Esker is a precision medicines company looking to eliminate the “all comer” approach that is seen with today’s treatments for people with autoimmune disease. Even with innovation of the last decade, many patients continue to cycle through the approved therapies while continuing to look for the right therapy to alleviate the impact of their disease without life-impacting side effects. Esker leverages a precision analytics platform, powered by Foresite Labs, coupled with a team of experts with deep experience in precision medicine drug development and immunology, in order to create medicines that change the lives of people with autoimmune disease. For more information, please visit eskertherapeutics.com.

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