This article details breaking news about Frances Rena Bahjat, formerly of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). Immuno-oncology firm Apexigen released a statement announcing her transition into their company in a new research and discovery role.
Apexigen, the biopharmaceutical company, focuses on clinical stage discoveries and developments. They want to cure cancer by exploring antibody therapeutics and immuno-oncology products.
They use the patient’s own immune system to fight and triumph over cancer.
And now, the firm has a new Vice President for Discovery Research to help them.
A Little Background About Apexigen
Apexigen’s main preclinical pipeline sits in San Carlos, California where Frances Rena Bahjat will lead. She joins Apexigen’s collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco in the APXiMAB initiative.
APXiMAB is Apexigen’s discovery platform that uses mutational lineage guided humanization and rabbit monoclonal antibodies.
Bahjat served as Senior Director of in vivo Studies in her time at BMS.
Her new title at Apexigen is Vice President for Discovery Research. She will oversee the APX005M project currently in phase 2 which means they are testing the drug’s effectiveness.
The team wants to measure APX005M’s effectiveness in tandem with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for patients with gastroesophageal junction and resectable esophageal cancers.
Experience and Excitement for new Discoveries
Bahjat comes from the American pharmaceutical company BMS. They make prescription drugs targeted for HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other ailments.
She has ~20 years of experience with preclinical/clinical development for autoimmune and inflammatory disease drugs. Not only did she serve at BMS, but she also served at Rigel Pharmaceuticals.
Apexigen President and CEO Xiaodong Yang seemed excited about her arrival:
“Rena has significant experience in immunology and pharmaceutical research and development, including the discovery of numerous drug candidates across a diverse array of target classes and therapeutic areas…”
You can read more on the official press release available here.
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