Ventus Therapeutics Names Dr. Mona Kotecha as Chief Medical Officer
Ventus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Mona Kotecha, M.D., as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Ventus is advancing two novel small-molecule programs, VENT-03 and VENT-02, into Phase 2 clinical trials targeting immunology, inflammation, and neurology disorders. Dr. Kotecha’s extensive experience in drug development and leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry makes her a significant addition to the company’s executive team.
Dr. Kotecha brings two decades of expertise in pharmaceutical research, clinical development, and patient care. Having worked in both corporate and clinical settings, her career has been dedicated to advancing therapies that address serious medical conditions. Her experience will be instrumental as Ventus continues to drive the development of its innovative small-molecule inhibitors.
Marcelo Bigal, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Ventus Therapeutics, expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Kotecha’s appointment. “Mona brings an invaluable perspective to Ventus from her decades-long career as both a treating physician and a leader in drug development, including her experience as a CMO. Her deep expertise in immunology, inflammation, and neurology will further strengthen our team as we advance VENT-03, our first-in-class cGAS inhibitor, and VENT-02, our best-in-class NLRP3 inhibitor, into multiple Phase 2 trials this year. Mona’s distinguished presence in the biotech ecosystem will be crucial as we engage key stakeholders and work toward bringing these therapies to market.”
Dr. Kotecha has held several high-profile positions in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, she served as Chief Medical Officer at ExploR&D, a division of Eli Lilly’s Catalyze360. Before her tenure at Eli Lilly, she led clinical development in the areas of pain and psychiatry at Biogen. At Biogen, she played a key role in the development of zuranolone for depressive disorders, a significant achievement in psychiatric medicine. Earlier in her career, Dr. Kotecha contributed to the development of Jyseleca (filgotinib) for immunology and inflammation at Gilead Sciences, where her expertise helped shape the company’s immunology portfolio.
Dr. Kotecha’s medical background further enhances her qualifications for this role. She is a board-certified anesthesiologist and an acute pain specialist, bringing firsthand knowledge of patient needs to her work in drug development. Her medical education includes a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the Yale University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Dartmouth College. She completed her medical training at the University of California-San Francisco and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Expressing her enthusiasm about joining Ventus, Dr. Kotecha highlighted the company’s strong pipeline and the potential of its drug candidates to address significant unmet medical needs. “Ventus is building a powerful pipeline of novel, first- and best-in-class small-molecule medicines that have the potential to be groundbreaking in immunology, inflammation, and neurology,” she said. “After spending years as a practicing physician and working in drug development, I have seen firsthand the critical gaps in available treatments. These potential therapeutics could address areas of significant unmet medical need, offering new hope for patients. I am excited to be joining Ventus at this pivotal moment in the company’s development of VENT-03 and VENT-02. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to successfully advance these programs in multiple Phase 2 trials and beyond.”
Ventus Therapeutics has established itself as an innovator in small-molecule drug discovery, leveraging its proprietary drug discovery platform to develop therapies with significant potential for patients with immune-mediated and neurological conditions. The company’s lead programs, VENT-03 and VENT-02, are designed to target key molecular pathways that drive inflammation and immune responses.
VENT-03 is a first-in-class inhibitor of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a key protein in the innate immune system that detects cytosolic DNA and triggers inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of cGAS activity has been implicated in a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. By selectively inhibiting cGAS, VENT-03 aims to restore immune balance and reduce harmful inflammation in diseases where cGAS activation is a contributing factor.
VENT-02, on the other hand, is a best-in-class inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a protein complex involved in the body’s inflammatory response. Aberrant activation of NLRP3 has been linked to numerous inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain autoimmune conditions. Ventus is developing VENT-02 with the goal of providing a highly selective and potent therapy for patients suffering from these chronic diseases.
With both programs now entering Phase 2 clinical trials, Ventus is at a critical juncture in its mission to bring novel therapeutics to market. The company is actively engaging with regulators, clinical investigators, and key stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of its development plans. Dr. Kotecha’s leadership will be crucial in guiding the clinical strategy, optimizing trial design, and overseeing regulatory interactions to expedite the progress of these promising therapies.
Ventus Therapeutics’ approach to small-molecule drug discovery sets it apart in the biotech industry. Utilizing advanced computational techniques and structure-based drug design, the company aims to develop highly selective inhibitors with optimal efficacy and safety profiles. This innovative approach has enabled Ventus to identify and optimize novel drug candidates with best-in-class potential.
Dr. Kotecha’s appointment as CMO is expected to further strengthen Ventus’ clinical development capabilities. Her experience in leading drug development programs from early clinical research through regulatory approval will be an asset as the company moves forward with its ambitious pipeline. Her expertise in immunology, inflammation, and neurology aligns perfectly with Ventus’ focus areas, making her a natural fit for this leadership role.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Kotecha is known for her commitment to mentorship and advancing diversity in the biopharmaceutical industry. She has been an advocate for initiatives that promote inclusivity in clinical research and leadership development within the field of drug development. Her involvement in industry forums and scientific collaborations underscores her dedication to fostering innovation and excellence in medicine.
As Ventus Therapeutics continues to grow, the addition of Dr. Kotecha to the executive team represents a strategic step toward achieving the company’s long-term objectives. With her leadership, Ventus is well-positioned to advance its groundbreaking small-molecule therapies through clinical development and ultimately deliver transformative treatments to patients in need.
With VENT-03 and VENT-02 advancing into Phase 2 trials, Ventus is set to make significant strides in addressing diseases driven by dysregulated immune responses and inflammation. The company’s commitment to scientific excellence and patient-centered innovation remains at the core of its mission. Under Dr. Kotecha’s guidance, Ventus is poised to navigate the complexities of clinical development, regulatory approval, and market entry with a strong strategic vision.
