Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has appointed physician scientist Dr Teresa Montagut to lead its clinical development and medical affairs efforts, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its portfolio of cell therapies for inflammatory diseases.
The appointment places Montagut in a newly created senior role where she will oversee the global medical affairs organisation and help advance collaborations with clinicians and researchers.
In her position as Head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Montagut will report to Chief Medical Officer Dr Eric Rose and work closely with investigators and healthcare professionals worldwide. Her responsibilities will include supporting investigator-initiated trials, strengthening clinical and medical communications, and helping translate emerging scientific insights into new therapeutic opportunities. The role is designed to accelerate the clinical value of Mesoblast’s cell therapy programs across both pediatric and adult inflammatory conditions.
Montagut joins Mesoblast with extensive experience in pharmaceutical development and clinical leadership. She most recently worked at Regeneron, where she served as Global Head of Early Pipeline Studies in Oncology and also led medical affairs for investigator-sponsored studies in gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases. Earlier in her career, she directed several cancer immunotherapy programs at Novartis, Genentech, and Atara Biotherapeutics, gaining broad experience in developing innovative biologic treatments.
Her academic and scientific background reflects a strong commitment to translational medicine. Montagut earned her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and later completed a PhD in tumour immunology through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Cornell University. She also undertook fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Rockefeller University, building expertise at the intersection of immunology and therapeutic development.
Beyond her work in industry, Montagut contributes to global health initiatives. She serves on the board of the Global Pediatric Alliance, an organisation focused on improving maternal and pediatric healthcare in underserved indigenous communities across Latin America, particularly in Mexico.
Mesoblast Chief Executive Dr Silviu Itescu said Montagut’s background in clinical science and investigator-driven trials will be important as the company works to broaden the reach of its therapies. He noted that her expertise will support efforts to expand the indications for the company’s approved product Ryoncil while also advancing the broader pipeline of cellular medicines under development.
Mesoblast is recognised globally for its work developing off-the-shelf cellular medicines designed to treat severe and life-threatening inflammatory conditions. The company’s product, Ryoncil (remestemcel-Lok), is the first mesenchymal stromal cell therapy approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. It is used to treat steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in pediatric patients aged 2 months or older.