Connect Biopharma Names New Leadership and Board Chair

Connect Biopharma Holdings Limited, a U.S.-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on T cell-driven therapies, has announced key leadership changes. Barry Quart, Pharm.D., has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director, succeeding Zheng Wei, Ph.D., who will stay on the Board of Directors and advise during the transition. David Szekeres has been named President, and Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., has taken the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Xanthopoulos, who has served as the lead independent Board member since 2022, succeeds Wubin (Bill) Pan, Ph.D., M.B.A., who will also remain on the Board, providing advisory support through the transition. Xanthopoulos acknowledged the foundational work of Drs. Wei and Pan, who co-founded Connect Biopharma with a vision to advance treatments for inflammatory diseases. Their efforts have positioned the company as a late-stage entity with a strong pipeline and Phase 3-ready programs.

The company is entering a significant pre-commercial phase, supported by promising data from its lead asset, rademikibart, in both asthma and atopic dermatitis. Xanthopoulos expressed enthusiasm for the new leadership team’s expertise, particularly Quart’s operational capabilities, which are expected to drive the maximum potential of rademikibart and other pipeline candidates.

Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Zheng Wei expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Connect Biopharma alongside Pan and other dedicated colleagues. He looks forward to supporting the company’s progress under the new leadership as it focuses on advancing rademikibart.

Barry Quart brings over three decades of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors to his new role. He has been instrumental in leading several early-stage biotech companies through clinical development and regulatory approval, including nine FDA-approved drugs. Previously, Quart served as CEO at Heron Therapeutics, where he oversaw the development and approval of four drugs. Before Heron, he co-founded Ardea Biosciences and led it through its acquisition by AstraZeneca, overseeing the development of a gout medication and cancer therapies.

Quart expressed his excitement about taking on the CEO role at Connect Biopharma and joining the Board. He highlighted the potential of rademikibart as a leading competitor to current treatments like dupilumab. With a diverse pipeline and financial stability extending into at least 2026, Quart believes the company is well-positioned to deliver significant shareholder value.

David Szekeres, who has been appointed President, brings a robust background in life sciences, with expertise in operational, commercial, and strategic development. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Heron Therapeutics. His career also includes roles as Chief Business Officer and General Counsel at Regulus Therapeutics and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Life Technologies Corporation. Szekeres holds positions on several boards and has a J.D. from Duke University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of California, Irvine.

Connect Biopharma specializes in developing innovative treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases using its expertise in T cell biology. Its leading candidate, rademikibart, is an antibody targeting IL-4Rα, aimed at treating atopic dermatitis and asthma. Another candidate, icanbelimod, focuses on ulcerative colitis. The company is committed to leveraging its proprietary technology to improve patient lives globally.

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