Boston, MA — VectorY Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specializing in vectorized antibody therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, has announced the appointment of Dr. Olga Uspenskaya-Cadoz, M.D., Ph.D., as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
With over 20 years of experience in neurology, gene therapy, and clinical development, Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz is set to play a crucial role in VectorY’s efforts to advance treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the company prepares to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its lead candidate, VTx-002, aimed at treating sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by the end of 2025, with clinical trials expected to begin in 2026.
Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz joins VectorY from Eli Lilly, where she held the position of Vice President, Medical, Gene Therapy. There, she oversaw clinical development, pharmacovigilance, and patient advocacy initiatives for central nervous system (CNS) and lysosomal storage disorder treatments. She also contributed significantly to Eli Lilly’s ALS and rare disease strategy. Previously, she served as Vice President of Clinical Development at Prevail Therapeutics, where she helped design clinical programs for novel gene therapies targeting neurodegenerative conditions.
Throughout her career, Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz has worked across both biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, gaining extensive expertise in neurology and translational medicine. She has been involved in large-scale clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and other CNS disorders at IQVIA, Quintiles, and the University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière. Additionally, she has conducted research on neurochemical biomarkers and neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s disease, further solidifying her credentials in the field.
VectorY’s CEO, Jim Scibetta, emphasized the significance of Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz’s appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Olga to the VectorY team at this critical stage in our company’s growth. Her extensive background in neurology and gene therapy, coupled with her leadership in clinical development, will be instrumental as we push forward with our innovative pipeline. With the planned IND submission for VTx-002 and subsequent clinical development, her guidance will be invaluable in shaping our success.”
Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in Neurosciences from First Moscow State Medical University, with additional research training at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich and Sorbonne University in Paris. She has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to multiple book chapters on neurodegenerative diseases. Her work has been featured at international conferences, where she continues to contribute to scientific discourse on novel therapeutic approaches.
Expressing her enthusiasm about the new role, Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz stated, “I am delighted to join VectorY and support its mission to develop innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Vectorized antibody approaches hold immense potential to transform treatment paradigms, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive these promising programs forward.”
VectorY’s appointment of Dr. Uspenskaya-Cadoz underscores its commitment to advancing pioneering therapies in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. With her leadership, the company is poised to make significant strides in the field of ALS and beyond.
