Percheron Therapeutics (ASX:PER) has bolstered its executive ranks with the appointment of two seasoned biotechnology leaders as the company prepares to advance its lead oncology program, HMBD-002, into the next phase of development.
The Melbourne-based company confirmed the arrival of Dr Eugene Kennedy as Chief Medical Officer and Valentina Dubljevic as Chief Technology Officer. The appointments come at a pivotal moment, with Percheron planning to commence recruitment for a phase II trial of HMBD-002 in 2026.
Dr Kennedy brings more than a decade of leadership experience in immuno-oncology. A surgical oncologist by training, he spent his early career at Johns Hopkins and Thomas Jefferson University before moving into industry roles in 2013. He has since served as Chief Medical Officer at several biotech companies, most recently at US-based Carisma Therapeutics, where he directed early-stage clinical programs. Based in Philadelphia, he said he was “excited to join Percheron at this important point in its development,” adding that HMBD-002 “has the potential to provide a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium” for cancer.
Ms Dubljevic, who trained at Griffith University and RMIT, brings both academic and commercial expertise. After more than a decade as a research scientist at Monash University, she entered industry in 2008, holding roles with several ASX-listed biotechs. Most recently Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Development at Patrys, she will now oversee manufacturing and technical development for HMBD-002. Based in Melbourne, she emphasised the importance of ensuring the drug candidate can be produced “efficiently, cost-effectively, and reliably” while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.
Percheron’s Chief Executive, Dr James Garner, said the dual appointments marked an important step forward. “We are delighted to welcome Gene and Valentina to the team. Their respective appointments greatly strengthen our bench strength, and their skills and experience will be invaluable as we move forward with HMBD-002. We see enormous potential in the drug, and these critical appointments will help us to realise that opportunity for shareholders over the months ahead.”
HMBD-002, a monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint regulator VISTA, has completed a phase I trial in advanced cancers, demonstrating safety and tolerability. With preparations for the phase II program now underway, Percheron is positioning itself to capture momentum in the fast-moving field of immuno-oncology.