CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Scholar Rock has appointed David L. Hallal as its new chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership transition as the company prepares for the potential global launch of apitegromab, its lead therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Hallal, who has served as chairman of Scholar Rock’s board since 2017, succeeds Dr. Jay Backstrom, who will remain with the company as a strategic advisor during this transition.
Hallal brings extensive biopharmaceutical leadership experience, including over a decade at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, where he held roles as CEO, COO, and CCO, helping expand the company’s global operations across 50 countries.
In addition to Hallal’s appointment, Scholar Rock announced key leadership hires to support its evolution into a fully integrated global biotech company. Akshay Vaishnaw, M.D., Ph.D., former president of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, has been named president of research and development. R. Keith Woods, formerly COO of argenx, joins as chief operating officer, and Vikas Sinha, who has held CFO roles at Alexion and ElevateBio, will serve as chief financial officer.
“With the regulatory review of apitegromab underway in both the U.S. and Europe, this is a pivotal time for Scholar Rock,” Hallal said. “As board chair, I’ve worked closely with Jay Backstrom and the leadership team to position Scholar Rock for this next phase of growth. The addition of Akshay, Keith, and Vikas, all seasoned leaders from some of the most successful biotech companies, strengthens our ability to deliver on our mission and bring apitegromab to SMA patients worldwide.”
Dr. Backstrom, who has led Scholar Rock for the past three years, helped guide the company through the successful completion of its Phase 3 program for apitegromab and the subsequent regulatory filings. The company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for apitegromab has been accepted for priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with a potential launch expected later this year.
“With apitegromab on the cusp of becoming the first muscle-targeted treatment for SMA, this is the right moment for a leadership transition,” Backstrom said. “I am proud of what we’ve achieved and look forward to supporting the new leadership team as a strategic advisor. Together, we remain focused on bringing this transformative therapy to patients and families affected by SMA.”
Scholar Rock will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the leadership transition and the company’s plans for the next phase of its growth.
