Arovella Therapeutics (ASX:ALA) has announced that Dr Nicole Van Der Weerden has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer following the resignation and termination of Dr Michael Baker.
The board confirmed the promotion from her role as Chief Operating Officer, which she took up in 2023 after more than 18 years at Hexima, where she helped advance that company's lead drug candidate through preclinical and clinical development.
Dr Van Der Weerden said, "I am extremely excited to lead Arovella in the lead up to our phase I trial of our lead CAR iNKT cell therapy candidate ALA 101. My team and I are very much up for the challenge and believe the coming period represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate the potential of our technology and to deliver meaningful value for both patients and shareholders as we advance towards the clinic."
Arovella’s chairman, David Williams, said, "It is understating it to say we are very fortunate to have Nicole to step into the role. Last night she led a Senior Executive strategy meeting at ISCT 2026 in Dublin and the board was invited. Nicole is very impressive and also has an impressive team with her. The Board and I will provide her with any support she requires. I am very much looking forward to working together."
Arovella noted that its lead product, ALA 101, a CAR iNKT cell therapy targeting CD19, has secured IND acceptance from the US Food and Drug Administration and is progressing to a Phase 1 clinical trial as an allogeneic cell therapy for CD19-positive lymphomas and leukaemias.