Aarvik Therapeutics appoints Dr. Richard Scheller to its Board as Independent Director and announces Dr. Melissa Starovasnik to its Scientific Advisory Board

– USA, CA –  Aarvik Therapeutics, a biotechnology company dedicated to engineering precision medicines for cancer therapy, today announced the appointment of Dr. Richard Scheller (Ph.D.) to its Board as an Independent Director.

“We are indeed delighted to have Dr. Richard Scheller join the Aarvik team as a member of the Board of Directors and SAB Chair,” said Co-founder, President and CEO Dr. Jagath Reddy Junutula. “His deep scientific rigor and outstanding biotech executive experience will help us immensely in taking Aarvik Therapeutics to the next level.”

The company also announced the appointment of Dr. Melissa Starovasnik (Ph.D.) to its Scientific Advisory Board.

About Dr. Richard Scheller

Dr. Scheller currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of Research & Development at BridgeBio. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of 23andMe, Alector, Inc., DICE Therapeutics, and Maze Therapeutics. Dr. Scheller has previously served as the CSO and Head of Therapeutics at 23andMe. From 2001 to 2014, Dr. Scheller was the SVP of Research and then EVP of Research and Early Development and a member of the Executive Committee at Genentech, Inc. From 2009 to 2014, he was a member of the Enlarged Executive Committee at Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Dr. Scheller is a recipient of the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience and the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Scheller holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a PhD in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.

“I look forward to reuniting with several of my former colleagues from Genentech in this new endeavor,” said Dr. Scheller. “Aarvik Therapeutics has outstanding scientific expertise, advanced protein engineering platforms and the vision to make a difference for cancer patients. I am honored to join their efforts.”

About Dr. Melissa Starovasnik

 Dr. Starovasnik is an accomplished scientific leader and executive in the field of protein sciences, including protein/antibody therapeutics and small molecule drug discovery. She spent 28 years at Genentech in roles of increasing responsibility and was an integral member of the research leadership team. As Vice President, Protein Sciences, and head of large-molecule drug discovery from 2011-2017, she was responsible for overseeing the discovery and optimization of more than 20 protein therapeutic candidates. Prior to that, as Vice President, Research Operations and Structural Biology, she coordinated all operational activities for the more than 1300-member Genentech research organization, while also leading the Structural Biology department. Currently, Dr. Starovasnik serves on the Board of Directors for Twist Bioscience and the Scientific Advisory Boards for multiple therapeutics companies. She earned a BS in Chemistry and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Washington and has co-authored more than 70 scientific publications and patent applications.

“I am very excited to join the Aarvik SAB and work together with a team of truly exceptional scientists, innovators, and leaders who have the vision, experience, drive, and uniquely elegant technology platform to produce next-generation protein therapeutics that will transform patients’ lives,” said Dr. Starovasnik.

About Aarvik Therapeutics

Aarvik Therapeutics combines a unique, proprietary modular platform with multiple target mechanisms to develop novel molecules with an improved therapeutic index for oncology targets. Backed by the extensive scientific, research, development and business expertise of its founders, Board, SAB and team members, Aarvik Therapeutics is applying its vision and passion to create transformational benefit for cancer patients.

For more information : https://www.aarviktx.com/

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