PHILADELPHIA, PA — Vittoria Biotherapeutics, a pioneering force in the field of cell therapy, this week announced the appointment of Keith Westby as its first Chief Operating Officer. Westby, who brings with him over twenty years of entrepreneurial experience in biotechnology, is set to play a pivotal role in advancing the company’s innovative cancer treatments, notably its leading program, VIPER-101, aimed at combating T-cell lymphoma.
Nicholas Siciliano, Ph.D., CEO of Vittoria, expressed his enthusiasm for Westby’s appointment, highlighting his remarkable track record and commitment to developing new treatments for challenging diseases. “Keith’s expertise will be instrumental as we embark on first-in-human studies for our lead program,” Siciliano stated, underscoring the importance of Westby’s role in the company’s pursuit of groundbreaking CAR-T therapies for conditions with significant unmet medical needs.
Westby shared his excitement about joining Vittoria and contributing to the development of VIPER-101. He emphasized the potential of Vittoria’s unique approach to CAR-T therapy, which leverages the Senza5 CD5 knockout platform, to provide innovative solutions for patients facing T-cell lymphoma, a notoriously difficult-to-treat disease.
Prior to his new role at Vittoria, Westby served as COO at Iveric Bio, an Astellas Company, where he played a key role in the company’s $6 billion acquisition by Astellas. His extensive background also includes leadership positions at Pharmasset Inc., leading up to its $11 billion acquisition by Gilead, and Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by OSI Pharmaceuticals for $935 million.
Westby’s academic credentials include a BS in Applied Physics from the State University of N.Y. Geneseo, an MS in Engineering Management from Drexel University, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Keith Westby’s appointment as COO of Vittoria Biotherapeutics marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to develop and commercialize novel CAR-T cell therapies. His proven ability to navigate complex biotech landscapes and drive successful acquisitions suggests a strategic move by Vittoria to bolster its operational capabilities and position itself favorably in the competitive field of cancer therapy development.
Given Westby’s history of facilitating substantial deals within the biotech industry, his involvement with Vittoria could signal the company’s openness to future partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions, potentially accelerating the path to bringing VIPER-101 and other innovative therapies to market. This strategy could not only enhance Vittoria’s portfolio but also contribute significantly to addressing the pressing need for effective treatments for T-cell lymphoma and other challenging diseases, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.
As Vittoria Biotherapeutics progresses under Westby’s operational leadership, the biotech community and investors alike will be closely watching for developments that could reshape the landscape of cancer treatment and solidify Vittoria’s position as a leader in the field.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.