BOSTON & MONTREAL– enGene Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ENGN or “enGene” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage genetic medicines company whose non-viral lead investigational product detalimogene voraplasmid (also known as detalimogene, and previously EG-70) is in an ongoing pivotal study in patients with high-risk, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (Cis), today announced the appointment of Joan Connolly as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and member of the corporate leadership team. In addition, enGene Co-Founder and former CTO, Anthony Cheung, Ph.D., will transition to the role of Chief Scientific Officer, succeeding James Sullivan, MSc, Ph.D.
Ms. Connolly’s career spans more than 30 years, with experience across CMC development for large and small molecules, manufacturing management, regulatory filings, and product commercialization, as well as supply chain, logistics and sourcing, and procurement. Ms. Connolly has extensive experience filing submissions for regulatory approval and product launches. In her most recent role, Ms. Connolly served as Chief Technology Officer of Albireo Pharma, Inc., where she oversaw drug substance and product development, clinical supply distribution, commercial supply chain and quality. Prior to Albireo, she held senior roles at Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., ImClone Systems Inc., and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joan to the enGene team. She brings significant experience in managing the technical operations required to drive a late-stage clinical asset through to commercialization, which will be critical as we complete the pivotal portion of the LEGEND study of detalimogene and anticipate filing our BLA in mid-2026,” said Ron Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of enGene.
“I am excited to join enGene at this critical juncture. Detalimogene’s highly differentiated, non-viral DDX formulation and easily scalable manufacturing process are designed to offer significant advantages over other therapies available and in development,” said Ms. Connolly. “Recent preliminary data from LEGEND’s pivotal arm underscore detalimogene’s future potential as a foundational therapy for the many NMIBC patients in need of new therapeutic options.”
Dr. Cheung is a co-founder of enGene and has served in various capacities since the Company’s inception. He has been central to the discovery and development of the Company’s novel and proprietary Dually Derivatized Oligochitosan (DDX) platform and in the creation of detalimogene. He has co-authored numerous book chapters, review articles and peer-reviewed journals, and is a named inventor on numerous patents in the areas of gene therapy and polymer chemistry.
“Having developed enGene’s DDX technology from the ground up, Anthony is intimately familiar with the science and well-suited to drive future expansion of our DDX platform,” said Ron Cooper. “We are grateful to Dr. Sullivan for his meaningful contributions in advancing detalimogene and wish him luck in his future endeavors.”
