Alector Announces Appointment of Gary Romano, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer
30 March 2022 - 7:05AM
Alector, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALEC), a clinical-stage biotechnology
company pioneering immuno-neurology, today announced the
appointment of Gary Romano, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer.
In this role, Dr. Romano will lead the company’s global clinical
development strategy, including oversight of the clinical
development, clinical operations, biometrics and digital science,
and medical affairs functions. Dr. Romano will report to Sara
Kenkare-Mitra, Ph.D., President and Head of Research and
Development of Alector. Dr. Romano’s appointment is effective May
23, 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome Gary to our executive leadership
team,” said Dr. Kenkare-Mitra. “He is a board-certified
neurologist, neurodegeneration expert, and recognized clinical
leader in the industry with a demonstrated track record in
progressing the development of therapeutics for multiple
neuroscience indications. Gary’s extensive research and medical
experience coupled with his doctorate degree in Neuroscience will
further enable our vision of seamless integration of our drug
discovery, translational and clinical development areas. I believe
Gary’s clinical vision and leadership will prove to be invaluable
as we continue to advance our rich clinical pipeline toward
late-stage studies and bring novel drug candidates into the
clinic.”
Alector is deeply grateful to Sam Jackson, M.D., M.B.A., Senior
Vice President, Clinical Sciences, who served as interim CMO since
September 7, 2021. Sam is pursuing a new opportunity outside of
Alector though he will continue to consult with Alector. Dr.
Kenkare-Mitra added, “Sam has been an important contributor and
leader at Alector, playing an instrumental role in the development
of AL001, the expansion of our clinical development function, and
the advancement of our robust pipeline. We thank Sam for his
impactful contributions to Alector and wish him well in his future
endeavors.”
“Alector’s deep scientific expertise in microglial biology and
ongoing rigorous clinical interrogation of compelling
genetically-validated neuro-immune targets for neurodegenerative
diseases are trailblazing a novel and promising approach to
treatment that provides new hope for those with diseases such as
frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS and Parkinson’s
disease,” said Dr. Romano. “My passion is to make a meaningful
impact in the lives of patients and families suffering from
neurodegenerative diseases through the development of
transformative treatments. Joining Alector is a natural next step
for me, and I look forward to working with the team to develop
effective therapies that preserve brain health.”
Dr. Romano joins Alector with more than 25 years of experience
in neurodegenerative disease, including 18 years in industry roles
at Merck, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson &
Johnson, and Passage Bio. Dr. Romano served as the Chief Medical
Officer of Passage Bio until May 2021, where he was responsible for
the clinical development of gene therapies targeting rare monogenic
central nervous system disorders and achieved Investigational New
Drug and Clinical Trial Application clearances for three gene
therapies. Prior to Passage Bio, Dr. Romano oversaw clinical
development of the neurodegenerative disease portfolio for more
than five years at Janssen as the Deputy Leader, Neurodegenerative
Disease Area and Head of Development, Neurodegenerative Disease. He
previously held other leadership positions at Janssen, including
Head of Neuroscience Biomarkers and Head of Early Clinical
Development. Earlier in his career, Dr. Romano served as the
Alzheimer’s Disease Therapeutic Area Group Co-Leader and Leader,
Neuroscience Experimental Medicine at Merck.
Dr. Romano earned a B.S. in Biology from Trinity College, a
Ph.D. in Molecular Neurobiology from Rockefeller University, and an
M.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He
completed his medical internship, neurology residency and
neuromuscular fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He has
served on the executive committee of the Innovative Medicines
Initiative - European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, and as the
industry co-chair of the Critical Path Institute Coalition Against
Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Romano currently serves on the board of
directors of the ALS Hope Foundation and is an adjunct member of
the neurology department at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at
Temple University.
About AlectorAlector is a clinical-stage
biotechnology company pioneering immuno-neurology, a novel
therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative
diseases. Immuno-neurology targets immune dysfunction as a
root cause of multiple pathologies that are drivers of degenerative
brain disorders. Alector has discovered and is developing a broad
portfolio of innate immune system programs, designed to
functionally repair genetic mutations that cause dysfunction of the
brain’s immune system and enable the rejuvenated immune cells to
counteract emerging brain pathologies. Alector’s immuno-neurology
product candidates are supported by biomarkers and target
genetically defined patient populations in frontotemporal dementia
and Alzheimer’s disease. This scientific approach is also the basis
for the company’s immuno-oncology programs. Alector is
headquartered in South San Francisco, California. For
additional information, please visit www.alector.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements in this press release include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding our business plans, personnel arrangements,
and advancement of our clinical pipeline. Such statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to risks and uncertainties as set forth in Alector’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as filed on February 24, 2022 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as the other
documents Alector files from time to time with the SEC. These
documents contain and identify important factors that could cause
the actual results for Alector to differ materially from those
contained in Alector’s forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date hereof, and Alector specifically disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as
required by law.
Contacts:
1AB (media) Dan Budwick 973-271-6085 dan@1abmedia.com
Argot Partners (investors)Eric Kasper/Carrie McKim Argot
Partners 212.600.1902 alector@argotpartners.com
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