Tvardi Therapeutics Inc. (“Tvardi”), a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of STAT3 inhibitors, today announced the appointment of Imran Alibhai, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.
“After a competitive national search, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Alibhai to Tvardi,” said Ron DePinho, M.D., Co-Founder and Director. “Imran’s depth and breadth of leadership experience as an executive, investor and entrepreneur will accelerate the development of our lead products through proof-of-concept trials in oncology as well as progress our programs in inflammation and fibrosis.”
Prior to joining Tvardi, Dr. Alibhai was an SVP and Managing Director at DNAtrix, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oncolytic viruses for cancer. During his tenure, DNAtrix raised multiple rounds of financing, entered into and enrolled a Phase 2 immuno-oncology collaboration with Merck, and licensed and moved into the clinic a next-generation armed virus. Previously, Dr. Alibhai was an investment banker in PJ Solomon’s Healthcare Advisory Group, focused on M&A transactions across the life science market. Formerly, he held investing roles at Alexandria Venture Investments, MPM Capital and the Accelerator Corp.
“I am honored that Tvardi’s board has entrusted me to lead the company,” said Dr. Alibhai. “Our lead compound, TTI-101, has already demonstrated excellent safety with early signs of activity. This activity, coupled with the pre-eminent drug developers and scholars comprising Tvardi’s founders and board, is a fantastic platform to build an innovative, successful company in Houston.”
Keith Flaherty, M.D., a member of Tvardi’s Scientific Advisory Board, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and advisor to numerous successful companies including Plexxikon, Loxo, and Viralytics added, “I believe STAT3 is a top-five target for cancer and immunotherapy as well as for a number of other indications. Imran has a unique blend of expertise that makes him well suited to build a clinical enterprise to develop this important target.”
About Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc.
Tvardi is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company was founded in 2017 by Drs. David Tweardy, Mike Lewis and Ron DePinho and is focused on the development of STAT3 inhibitors. STAT3 is a key signaling molecule positioned at the intersection of many signaling pathways controlling gene networks integral to the survival and immune sequestration of cancer cells as well as to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. Early clinical studies have shown that the company’s lead product, TTI-101, is well tolerated and has clinical activity. To learn more, go to: Science Overview