Boston, Mass.– Atalanta Therapeutics, a biotech company developing RNA interference (RNAi) therapies for neurological diseases, has announced significant leadership changes as it prepares to transition its pipeline into clinical development. Joanne Kotz, Ph.D., has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and joins the Board of Directors, succeeding Alicia Secor, who is stepping down as part of a planned transition. In addition, Douglas Pagán has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Dr. Kotz brings extensive experience leading platform-based biotech firms, most recently as co-founder and CEO of Jnana Therapeutics. Under her leadership, Jnana transitioned from discovery to clinical stage and was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 2024 for approximately $1 billion. She previously held leadership roles at the Broad Institute and F-Prime Capital’s neuroscience initiative. Dr. Kotz expressed enthusiasm about Atalanta’s mission: “I’m thrilled to join a company at the forefront of RNAi innovation for neurological diseases. I look forward to working with the team to bring our first programs into the clinic.”
Pagán also joins from Jnana Therapeutics, where he played a pivotal role in securing major financing and supporting the company’s acquisition. He previously served as CFO of Dicerna Pharmaceuticals and helped lead its $3.3 billion sale to Novo Nordisk. His background includes leadership roles at Biogen, Acceleron, and multiple biotech boards. Pagán brings more than two decades of experience in financial and operational strategy in the biotech sector.
Outgoing CEO Alicia Secor, who guided Atalanta from its founding through preclinical advancement, will remain an advisor during the transition. “We’ve made extraordinary progress, and I’m confident that Joanne’s leadership will take Atalanta to the next level,” she said.
As part of its continued scientific advancement, Atalanta also announced that Dr. Bob D. Brown, a veteran RNAi scientist and former Chief Scientific Officer at Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, has joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Brown has over 30 years of experience in oligonucleotide-based drug development and has held senior positions at Genta and Novo Nordisk.
Founded to pioneer RNAi therapies for intractable brain diseases, Atalanta is advancing its di-siRNA platform, which is designed to overcome the challenges of delivering RNAi therapeutics to the central nervous system. With new leadership and growing momentum, the company is now positioning itself to begin human clinical trials.
