Back to News

Kathleen Sereda Glaub Appointed Independent Director of Escient Pharmaceuticals

–Industry veteran brings extensive corporate development, financing and
company-building expertise as Escient advances first-in-class GPCR-targeted drugs–

SAN DIEGO, CA; October 10, 2018 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company advancing first-in-class G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address unmet needs for a broad range of therapeutic indications, announced today that Kathleen Sereda Glaub has been appointed to its board as an independent director. Ms. Glaub brings to Escient over 30 years of executive leadership in corporate development, financing and company building with leading biopharmaceutical, technology and innovation-based companies.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kathy to our board. We look forward to leveraging her deep and multi-faceted expertise and insights from guiding innovative companies as we continue to build a world-class team at Escient and advance a pipeline of novel GPCR-targeted therapies to address a spectrum of serious, unserved medical needs,” said Alain Baron, M.D., founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Escient.

Launched in May 2018, Escient is focused on unleashing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, including the novel family of Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs). The company is initially pursuing therapies for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases.

“I am delighted to join Escient’s board, and I am excited to work closely with Alain, the board and the entire Escient team as the company grows, evolves and advances its novel pipeline,” said Ms. Glaub. “GPCR-targeted drug development represents the best of both worlds. It is a known space, accounting for many of today’s best-selling medicines, and at the same time it is rife with opportunities for progress and innovation given the broad potential of unexplored GPCRs, including the Mrgpr family that is Escient’s focus.”

Ms. Glaub’s myriad executive leadership roles include serving as CEO of Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she led the advancement of the company’s lead molecule, AF-219, through a full complement of mid-stage clinical trials in chronic cough and to Phase 3 readiness. She also led Afferent’s acquisition by Merck in 2016 for $1.25 billion, including $500 million upfront.

Prior to joining Afferent, Ms. Glaub co-led Plexxikon Inc. as president for 12 years. In this role, she drove the business and financing strategy for the company, including negotiating six partnerships generating several hundred million in non-equity funding, and the company’s acquisition by Daiichi Sankyo for nearly $1 billion cash in 2011. She also was instrumental in Plexxikon’s advancement of multiple novel molecules to the clinic, as well as advancement of ZelborafTM, a targeted treatment for melanoma, along with its companion diagnostic to market approval in 2011.

Ms. Glaub’s previous experience also includes serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Cell Genesys, treasurer of Genentech, and various finance and treasury roles with Intel Corporation.

Currently, Ms. Glaub serves as an advisor to emerging growth biotechnology companies, including directing financing, business development and overall corporate development strategies. She is a director for the boards of Codexis, Inc. and IO Biotechnology, and an advisor for Bailard Healthcare Fund.
Ms. Glaub received her MBA from Northwestern University and her BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

About Escient Pharmaceuticals

Escient Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biotechnology company that is advancing first-in-class
G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications. Focused on unleashing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, including the novel family of Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs), Escient will initially pursue therapies for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. Based in San Diego, Calif., Escient is led by an experienced team of biotechnology entrepreneurs with specific expertise in GPCR drug discovery and development. The company is funded by top-tier life science investors, including The Column Group, 5AM Ventures and Osage University Partners. Visit www.escientpharma.com to learn more.

Contact:

Liz Melone
Scient PR
liz@scientpr.com