DOYLESTOWN, PA — Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. has appointed veteran physician-scientist Eugene (Gene) Kennedy, MD, as chief medical advisor, strengthening its leadership team as the biotechnology company advances a promising new cancer therapy into deeper clinical testing.
The appointment comes as Aprea reports early clinical proof-of-concept in its ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation study of APR-1051, a WEE1 inhibitor being evaluated in patients with advanced solid tumors. Company officials said Kennedy’s arrival positions Aprea to sharpen its clinical strategy as it continues dose escalation and refines patient selection for its DNA damage response program.
“We are excited to bring on a high caliber advisor such as Dr. Kennedy who has an extensive background in oncology drug development and experience across multiple stages of clinical development,” said Oren Gilad, PhD, chief executive officer of Aprea Therapeutics. He said Kennedy’s experience working with regulators and leading complex oncology programs will be critical as the company moves toward key clinical and regulatory milestones.
Kennedy brings more than two decades of experience in oncology clinical development, regulatory strategy, and senior leadership roles across public and private biotechnology firms. Aprea said his guidance will be particularly valuable as it builds on emerging data from APR-1051 and advances its broader WEE1-focused pipeline.
“DDR inhibition has the potential to fundamentally change how we approach certain difficult-to-treat cancers,” Kennedy said, adding that early clinical results from APR-1051 reinforce the potential of the approach. He said he looks forward to working with the team to advance the pipeline and build long-term value.
Kennedy currently serves as fractional chief medical officer at Percheron Therapeutics and previously held chief medical officer roles at Carisma Therapeutics, Galera Therapeutics, and Innovative Cellular Therapeutics. Across those positions, he oversaw more than a dozen oncology trials ranging from first-in-human Phase 1 studies to Phase 3 programs, led regulatory filings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and guided strategic partnerships and corporate transactions.
Before entering industry, Kennedy built an academic and clinical career as a surgical oncologist. He served as associate professor of surgery and chief of pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, where he led multidisciplinary cancer programs and translational research efforts. He also held faculty appointments at Louisiana State University and The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Kennedy earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and is board-certified in surgery.
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