WALTHAM, Mass.– Pretzel Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering treatments that harness cellular energetics, today announced the appointment of Ashish Dugar, Ph.D., MBA as Chief Development Officer. Dr. Dugar, a veteran industry leader with nearly 25 years of experience across clinical development, medical affairs, and commercial leadership, most recently served as Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Dyne Therapeutics, where he advanced global programs for rare neuromuscular diseases.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ash to Pretzel as our Chief Development Officer, overseeing clinical strategy and execution across our growing pipeline from early-stage development through clinical trials and regulatory submission,” said Jay Parrish, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pretzel Therapeutics. “His proven expertise, particularly in genetically driven, rare, neurologic and degenerative muscle diseases, will be invaluable as we advance first-in-class treatments targeting mitochondrial biology.”
Dr. Dugar said he was drawn to Pretzel’s distinctive approach. “Pretzel’s strategy to modulate disease processes and restore mitochondrial function across neurological, muscle, metabolic and rare diseases is truly unique,” he said. “I am especially excited to join the company at this pivotal time, as Pretzel advances PX578 into the clinic for mitochondrial DNA polymerase (POLG)-related disorders, including mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes and broader neurodegenerative diseases. Foundational research published this year in Nature demonstrated the potential of POLG activation to restore mitochondrial function across a wide range of mutations, underscoring the transformative promise of Pretzel’s science.”
Dr. Dugar’s career includes leadership positions at Dyne Therapeutics, Sarepta Therapeutics, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Roche, and Pfizer. He has guided the development and launch of multiple therapies for rare and serious conditions, bringing a track record of success in both R&D and commercialization. He began his career at the National Institutes of Health and later completed a pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He earned his Ph.D. in pharmacology and MBA from The Pennsylvania State University.
