AnHeart Therapeutics announces two appointments

Clinical stage biotechnology company AnHeart Therapeutics has announced two new appointments.

The company, which develops novel precision oncology therapeutics, has appointed Heinrich Farin, M.D. as Senior Medical Director of Clinical Research and Michael J. Humphries, Ph.D., as VP and Head of US Medical Affairs.

Dr Farin has more than 20 years of experience in clinical development, directing complex global Phase I-IV clinical trials, including first-in-human through global studies, focusing on therapies in rare diseases.

Dr Humphries has experience in pre-and-post launch medical activities, strategic planning and execution, evidence generation, and drug discovery.

He brings expertise in precision medicine and small molecule therapeutic development in oncology.

Junyuan (Jerry) Wang, Ph.D. CEO & Co-Founder, AnHeart Therapeutics, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Drs. Farin and Humphries to AnHeart Therapeutics.

“Both Heinrich and Michael, seasoned leaders in drug development and with proven track records of success, will bring invaluable experience/expertise to our growing clinical development team.

“Both Heinrich and Michael previously worked with Dr. Li in the development of targeted therapy including mobocertinib, a first-in-class EGFR inhibitor that targeted EGFR exon 20 insertions and expanding the global development of ponatinib, a novel multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.”

Prior to joining AnHeart, Dr Farin led global development of anti-cancer therapies in solid tumours and leukaemia as Senior Medical Director at Mirati Therapeutics and Global Senior Medical Director, Clinical Research and Development at BeiGene.

Dr Humphries was most recently head of lung cancer, senior scientific director of global medical affairs at Takeda Oncology, where he led the lung cancer portfolio for brigatinib and mobocertinib.

Dr Farin said:

“I am excited to join AnHeart at this dynamic time.

“The company is developing multiple cancer therapies including its leading asset taletrectinib targeting ROS1-fusion and resistant mutations, and other gene mutations in other cancers.

“I look forward to contributing to AnHeart’s mission to improve the lives of cancer patients with breakthrough medicines and advancing global clinical programs.”

Dr Humphries said:

“It is great to work with both D. Li and Dr. Farin again, as we previously worked together while at Ariad Pharmaceuticals.

“Taletrectinib is a next-generation ROS-1 inhibitor that is a much-needed innovative therapy for patients with this subtype of non-small cell lung cancer.

“I look forward to working with the management and scientific teams to help bring this much needed therapy to cancer patients.”