Rappta Therapeutics (Rappta), which is focused on developing first-in-class anti-cancer drugs reactivating protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), has appointed Sunjeet Sawhney as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Rappta’s Co-founder and Founding CEO Mikko Mannerkoski will move to be Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as planned.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Sunjeet joins Rappta from Ipsen where he has most recently been the Global Head of the Oncology Franchise. Prior to this, Sunjeet led businesses across a range of geographies both in biotech and major pharmaceutical companies. Sunjeet holds a MSc in Immunology from the University of London and will be based in London, UK.
In October 2020, Rappta raised its first round of financing from blue-chip investors Advent Life Sciences, Novartis Bioventures, Novo Holdings, and a family office. Under the scientific leadership of Dr. Goutham Narla, Rappta’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, the Company is developing first-in-class anti-cancer drugs reactivating PP2A – a critical enzyme regulating protein de-phosphorylation and a key tumor suppressor which to date has been very difficult to target pharmaceutically, the statement said.
Sunjeet Sawhney, CEO of Rappta Therapeutics, commented: “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead Rappta. The Company’s robust first-in-class program of anti-cancer drugs that reactivate PP2A represents an exciting clinical and commercial opportunity, much like kinase inhibitors did more than two decades ago. I am particularly impressed with the rigorous science and the swift progress that the team has made in moving the program forward from discovery towards development. I look forward to working together with the Rappta team in progressing our lead compounds while continuing to leverage our proprietary tools and unique understanding of PP2A to build a platform of a new class of anti-cancer drugs.”
Mikko Mannerkoski, CFO and Co-Founder of Rappta Therapeutics, commented: “I look forward to working with Sunjeet, an experienced industry leader, to guide the Company through the next important stages of growth. As an entrepreneur and co-founder, it gives me great pride that Rappta has in a very short period of time built a robust drug development program that is ready to enter IND/CTA-enabling studies and subsequent first-in-human clinical trials, which has the potential to offer real benefit to patients while creating value for our shareholders.”
Goutham Narla, Rappta’s CSO and Co-Founder, commented: “I am thrilled to work with Sunjeet on this opportunity to build a new platform and a novel class of pharmaceuticals to treat cancer. We have a unique team whose deep understanding of the PP2A biochemistry, structural biology, biogenesis, medicinal chemistry, and drug development represent a great combination of expertise to translate these discoveries into meaningful outcomes for patients. Sunjeet’s vast industry experience will add a new dimension to our competencies and accelerate the growth of the Company.”
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