Tenaya Therapeutics Updates Research Leadership

Tenaya Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology firm dedicated to creating therapies for heart disease, has announced significant changes in its Research leadership team. This includes promotions and new appointments to the company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

Kathy Ivey, Ph.D., currently Vice President of Gene Therapy Research, will be promoted to Senior Vice President, Research. In her new role, Dr. Ivey will oversee all non-clinical research and discovery activities at Tenaya. She has been a pivotal figure at Tenaya since its inception in 2016, being the company's first full-time employee and leading genetic medicine discovery initiatives. Her responsibilities have encompassed gene therapy, gene editing, and regenerative medicine programs, along with the development of novel AAV capsids and promoters.

Faraz Ali, the CEO of Tenaya, lauded Dr. Ivey for her critical contributions and leadership, expressing confidence in her ability to guide the company's scientific endeavors forward. Dr. Ivey brings nearly 25 years of experience in the discovery of transformative products for heart disease, contributing significantly to the development of Tenaya’s TN-201 and TN-401 gene therapy candidates. Before joining Tenaya, she was a Staff Researcher at The Gladstone Institutes.

Timothy Hoey, Ph.D., who has served as Tenaya’s Chief Scientific Officer since 2017, will step down from his current role. However, Dr. Hoey will continue with the company in an advisory capacity, joining the SAB and serving as a consultant to Tenaya’s Science & Technology Committee. His tenure at Tenaya has been marked by significant scientific leadership, helping to build a robust research team and advancing three product candidates into clinical stages.

Additionally, Barry J. Byrne, M.D., Ph.D., will join Tenaya’s SAB. Dr. Byrne is a Professor and Associate Chair of Pediatrics as well as the Director of the Powell Gene Therapy Center at the University of Florida School of Medicine. His specialization as a pediatric cardiologist and his extensive clinical research in genetic therapies make him a valuable addition to Tenaya. Dr. Byrne’s expertise particularly aligns with Tenaya’s work on gene therapy for cardiomyopathies affecting young individuals.

Separately, Jin-Long Chen, Ph.D., a long-serving member of Tenaya’s Board of Directors, will step down to focus on his other commitments, including his position as Managing Partner of TCG Labs Soleil. David Goeddel, Ph.D., Chair of Tenaya’s Board of Directors, acknowledged Dr. Chen’s significant contributions during his tenure.

Dr. Barry Byrne has an extensive background in genetic therapies for inherited muscle diseases, including Pompe disease and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Illinois and has over 330 publications to his name. Dr. Byrne's clinical and research expertise will be invaluable as Tenaya advances its gene therapy and gene editing programs.

Tenaya Therapeutics is committed to discovering, developing, and delivering therapies to address the underlying causes of heart disease. The company utilizes its integrated Gene Therapy, Cellular Regeneration, and Precision Medicine platforms to develop a pipeline of therapies for both rare genetic cardiovascular disorders and more common heart conditions. Among Tenaya’s leading candidates are TN-201, a gene therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with the MYBPC3 gene, TN-401 for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy linked to the PKP2 gene, and TN-301, a small molecule for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The company is also progressing multiple early-stage programs through preclinical development.