Abcuro Appoints Mark Pruzanski, M.D., as Chairman of its Board of Directors

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T and NK cells, today announced the appointment of Mark Pruzanski, M.D., as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Dr. Pruzanski brings more than 30 years of experience as a life sciences executive, entrepreneur and investor.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark as the Chairman of the Board during a pivotal stage for Abcuro as we continue to advance our registrational Phase 2/3 MUSCLE clinical study for the treatment of inclusion body myositis,” said Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Abcuro. “Mark is a biotech leader with a proven record in bringing innovative new medicines to market for patient populations with unmet medical needs. His operational and financial expertise will be invaluable as we continue developing ulviprubart (ABC008) and expand our therapeutic pipeline.”

“I am excited to join Abcuro’s Board at this important time in the Company’s life cycle,” said Dr. Pruzanski. “I look forward to partnering and working closely with this talented Board and management team to help ensure the success of their leading programs addressing diseases for which there are few, if any, treatment options available.”

Until its recent acquisition by Eli Lilly and Company, Dr. Pruzanski served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Versanis Bio, focused on the development of new medicines for the treatment of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Prior to joining Versanis, Dr. Pruzanski founded Intercept Pharmaceuticals and was the company’s Chief Executive Officer until 2021, having led its evolution from drug discovery stage to a global development and commercial organization. While at Intercept, he pioneered novel surrogate endpoints supporting accelerated approval in chronic liver diseases, gaining multiple regulatory approvals for the autoimmune disease PBC and championing the development of therapeutics for NASH.

Dr. Pruzanski is an active board member for several biotechnology companies and healthcare organizations, including the Emerging Company Section of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Earlier in his career, he worked in life sciences investment and venture capital, having co-founded Apple Tree Partners. Dr. Pruzanski earned his M.D. from McMaster University Medical School and his M.A. in International Affairs from John Hopkins University.

About Abcuro

Abcuro is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of highly cytotoxic T and NK cells. The company’s lead program is ulviprubart (ABC008) and is currently in clinical trials for inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia. For more information, visit us on LinkedIn and at abcuro.com.