CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Parabilis Medicines, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for cancers long considered “undruggable,” today announced the appointment of Fawzi Benzaghou, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Benzaghou is an accomplished oncology leader with extensive global experience spanning drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Benzaghou will oversee the company’s clinical and regulatory strategy, advancing a pipeline of first-in-class investigational medicines for both rare and common cancers. He joins Parabilis as the company prepares for its first major data disclosure at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. The presentation will highlight results from its lead program, FOG-001, the first direct inhibitor of β-cateninTCF4. Long regarded as “undruggable,” this pathway is implicated in colorectal cancer, desmoid tumors, and other solid tumors. Demonstrating clinical modulation of β-cateninTCF4 would mark a significant scientific milestone with broad implications across oncology.
In addition to FOG-001, Dr. Benzaghou will guide development of Parabilis’ broader pipeline, including a targeted protein degrader of ERG and a selective degrader of active androgen receptor (AR), programs with potential to deliver differentiated treatments for prostate cancer and other malignancies. These therapies are powered by the company’s Helicon™ platform, a proprietary class of stabilized, cell-penetrant alpha-helical peptides engineered to modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions beyond the reach of conventional modalities.
“I am thrilled to welcome Fawzi to Parabilis at such a pivotal time,” said Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, CEO and President of Parabilis Medicines. “Our mission is to systematically drug historically inaccessible targets with rigor and precision, bringing transformative medicines to patients. Fawzi’s deep expertise in oncology and proven record of advancing breakthrough therapies make him an ideal leader to help us deliver on that mission.”
Dr. Benzaghou most recently served as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Oncology R&D at Ipsen, where he oversaw key regulatory approvals, including Cabometyx® (cabozantinib) across multiple solid tumor types and Onivyde® (irinotecan liposome) for pancreatic cancer. He previously held senior global roles at Ipsen and earlier led clinical development at a European biotech, including the successful approval of a prostate cancer therapy.
“I am honored to join Parabilis as it works to redefine what is possible in oncology,” said Dr. Benzaghou. “The chance to develop a pipeline targeting some of the most intractable drivers of cancer with a modality designed to address them is rare and compelling. I have been impressed by the company’s scientific rigor and patient-centered approach, and I look forward to helping advance its bold mission.”
A board-certified pediatric surgeon, Dr. Benzaghou trained and practiced at leading hospitals in France, including Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris. He earned his medical degree from Paris University, a master’s degree in strategy and management from ESSEC Business School, and an executive MBA from Harvard Business School, and holds certifications in oncology, clinical research, artificial intelligence, and executive leadership. He is a member of both the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
