MiNA Therapeutics Adds Norbert Bischofberger to Board, Bríd Ryan as CSO
MiNA Therapeutics Limited, a leader in the development of small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutics, has announced key leadership changes to strengthen its scientific and strategic capabilities. The company has appointed Norbert Bischofberger, Ph.D., as a Non-Executive Director to its Board of Directors and has promoted Bríd Ryan, Ph.D., MPH, to the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Ryan previously held the role of Senior Vice President of Research at MiNA Therapeutics and has been instrumental in advancing the company’s research and development efforts.
Dr. Bischofberger is widely recognized as a visionary leader in the biotechnology sector, with a distinguished career spanning decades in drug discovery, development, and commercialization. Most recently, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kronos Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies targeting dysregulated transcription factors. Prior to that, Dr. Bischofberger spent over 25 years at Gilead Sciences, where he played a pivotal role as Executive Vice President of Research and Development and as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. His tenure at Gilead was marked by the successful development and approval of more than 25 medicines across various therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, oncology, and inflammatory disorders.
Dr. Bischofberger earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from ETH Zurich, a prestigious research institution in Switzerland, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). His extensive experience and deep knowledge of pharmaceutical research, regulatory pathways, and commercialization strategies will provide MiNA Therapeutics with valuable insights as it continues to advance its RNAa-based therapies. Dr. Bischofberger also currently serves on the Boards of Directors for Kronos Bio and Vir Biotechnology, further showcasing his commitment to fostering innovation in the biotech space.
Upon his appointment, Dr. Bischofberger expressed his enthusiasm for joining MiNA Therapeutics at such a pivotal stage in the company’s growth. “I am delighted to join MiNA’s Board of Directors at an exciting time for the company,” he stated. “I have been impressed with the capabilities of MiNA’s RNAa platform and am excited by its potential to treat genetic diseases.” His endorsement of MiNA’s technology underscores the company’s position as a pioneering force in the RNAa therapeutic landscape.
Professor Sir Robert Lechler, Independent Chairman of MiNA Therapeutics’ Board of Directors, welcomed Dr. Bischofberger to the Board, emphasizing his vast experience and contributions to the field. “Norbert has a distinguished track record of developing transformational medicines and world-leading businesses,” said Professor Lechler. “The Board and I look forward to benefiting from his extensive expertise as we continue to drive innovation and bring RNAa-based therapeutics to patients in need.”
In addition to the appointment of Dr. Bischofberger, MiNA Therapeutics has promoted Dr. Bríd Ryan to the role of Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Ryan, who joined MiNA Therapeutics in 2021, has been a driving force behind the company’s research initiatives. Before joining MiNA, she spent 14 years at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she served as a Stadtman tenure-track investigator. During her tenure at NCI, she led a research team focused on lung cancer, precision medicine, and biomarker discovery, contributing significantly to the scientific understanding of cancer biology.
Dr. Ryan holds a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from University College Dublin. Her expertise in oncology, translational medicine, and biomarker research has been invaluable to MiNA’s efforts to develop targeted therapies for a range of diseases. In her new role as CSO, Dr. Ryan will work closely with Troels Koch, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, and Robert Place, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Innovation, to further enhance MiNA’s research and development pipeline.
Expressing her gratitude for the promotion, Dr. Ryan stated, “I am honored to take on this new role and to lead the research activities of RNAa therapeutics for the benefit of patients. MiNA Therapeutics has built an incredible foundation in the field of RNA activation, and I am excited to contribute to the next phase of innovation and clinical development.”
MiNA Therapeutics has gained significant recognition for its pioneering work in RNAa, a novel approach to gene activation that holds promise for treating genetic diseases and various other conditions. RNAa-based therapeutics work by selectively upregulating gene expression, a mechanism that distinguishes them from traditional RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, which typically silence gene expression. By leveraging RNAa, MiNA aims to develop transformative treatments for diseases with high unmet medical needs.
Under Dr. Ryan’s leadership, MiNA Therapeutics has already achieved critical milestones, including the recent nomination of a promising investigational medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to addressing complex diseases through cutting-edge RNA-based therapeutics.
Robert Habib, Chief Executive Officer of MiNA Therapeutics, praised Dr. Ryan for her contributions and leadership within the company. “I congratulate Bríd on her promotion and commend her on the outstanding leadership she has shown, culminating in the recent nomination of a promising investigational medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease,” said Habib. “Her expertise and dedication have been instrumental in driving our scientific programs forward, and I have full confidence in her ability to lead our research efforts in this new capacity.”
The leadership changes at MiNA Therapeutics come at a time of rapid progress for the company, as it continues to expand its research and clinical development programs. With Dr. Bischofberger’s strategic guidance on the Board of Directors and Dr. Ryan’s leadership in scientific research, MiNA is well-positioned to further advance its RNAa platform and bring novel therapies to patients worldwide.
MiNA Therapeutics has consistently demonstrated its commitment to scientific excellence and innovation, and these leadership appointments reinforce its dedication to accelerating the development of RNAa therapeutics. As the company continues to push the boundaries of RNA medicine, the addition of experienced leaders like Dr. Bischofberger and the promotion of accomplished scientists like Dr. Ryan will undoubtedly strengthen MiNA’s ability to achieve its mission of delivering transformative treatments for patients in need.
With these strategic appointments, MiNA Therapeutics is set to enter an exciting new phase of growth and development, further cementing its position as a frontrunner in the field of RNA activation therapy. The combined expertise of its leadership team will play a crucial role in advancing RNAa-based medicines through research, clinical development, and ultimately, regulatory approval. As the field of RNA therapeutics continues to evolve, MiNA Therapeutics remains at the forefront, pioneering innovative solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges in medicine today.
