RADNOR, PA — Mineralys Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MLYS) announced the appointment of Alexander M. Gold, M.D., to its Board of Directors, effective June 13, 2024. His addition comes as the company pushes forward with the late-stage clinical development of lorundrostat, a treatment for hypertension and related cardiorenal metabolic disorders.
Jon Congleton, CEO of Mineralys, expressed enthusiasm over Dr. Gold’s appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Alex to our Board of Directors. As a cardiologist and accomplished biopharmaceutical clinical development executive, Alex brings tremendous experience driving value for biopharmaceutical companies. We believe Alex’s track record of successful pipeline development, regulatory approvals, and joint ventures will make him a valuable director and resource for the Company’s team.”
Dr. Gold echoed these sentiments. “I am honored to join the Mineralys Board of Directors,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Company’s executive team and fellow Board members to advance the treatment of cardiorenal metabolic disorders. There is significant potential with lorundrostat in offering a targeted treatment approach for hypertension and other diseases driven by dysregulated aldosterone.”
Dr. Gold’s extensive background is impressive. With over 20 years in leading roles at biopharmaceutical companies, he has overseen the development, approval, and commercialization of new therapies across various therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic, renal, and inflammation. Currently the Chief Medical Officer of a clinical-stage biotech company, Dr. Gold has held significant positions at Sanifit-CSL, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Reata Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca. He is also an adjunct professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.
His medical education includes an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, with residency and fellowship in cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School in Boston. He also conducted cardiovascular research at the Harvard Clinical Research Institute.
The appointment of Dr. Gold signifies a strategic move by Mineralys to strengthen its leadership as it navigates the complex landscape of drug development and regulatory approval. Lorundrostat, aimed at targeting hypertension through a novel mechanism involving aldosterone regulation, holds promise in treating conditions that have long plagued patients with limited options.
The pharmaceutical industry faces continuous challenges, including stringent regulatory requirements and the need for robust clinical trial data to secure approval from bodies like the FDA. Dr. Gold’s experience with multiple successful drug approvals and navigating the commercial complexities in large pharmaceutical environments will be vital.
Mineralys is not just betting on a single product but is enhancing its collective expertise to ensure comprehensive treatment options for cardiorenal metabolic disorders. This broader vision encompasses recognizing and addressing the interconnectedness of heart and kidney diseases, which often coexist and exacerbate each other.
In a related development, the company announced the resignation of Olivier Litzka, Ph.D., from its Board, effective the same date. Dr. Litzka served on the Board since the company’s final private financing round before its initial public offering. He stated, “It was an honor for me to serve on the Mineralys Board. The Company has shown tremendous progress due to its exceptionally talented and hard-working team. As a venture capital investor, I’ve decided to step down to make room for new, well-suited board members like Alex Gold to support the Company going forward. I wish Mineralys all the best on its path forward.”
Dr. Litzka’s departure and Dr. Gold’s arrival mark a pivotal juncture for Mineralys, reflecting a transition from a focus on securing financial backing to prioritizing clinical and regulatory expertise. This shift underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its pipeline and delivering innovative treatments to patients.
The inclusion of Dr. Gold on the Board is poised to fortify Mineralys’ strategic direction and operational execution, potentially accelerating the journey from late-stage development to market readiness. For stakeholders, this represents a step toward realizing the therapeutic potential of lorundrostat and addressing a significant unmet need in hypertension management.
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