Cadenza Bio, Inc., a pioneering force in the preclinical biotechnology realm focused on demyelinating and inflammatory diseases, has welcomed Dr. Michael A. Panzara, MD, MPH, as the latest addition to its board of directors.
Dr. Panzara’s appointment is poised to significantly impact Cadenza Bio’s strategic direction, especially in its mission to develop novel small-molecule drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) and related conditions.
Dr. Panzara, with his profound 22-year tenure in the biopharmaceutical industry, is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Neurvati Neurosciences. His illustrious career includes senior roles at Wave Life Sciences, Sanofi, Genzyme, and Biogen. During his term at these companies, Dr. Panzara was instrumental in the development and global regulatory approval of several landmark MS drugs, demonstrating his exemplary skill set in navigating the intricacies of neurological drug development.
At Sanofi Genzyme, as the head of the Multiple Sclerosis, Neurology, and Ophthalmology Therapeutic Area, Dr. Panzara played a critical role in achieving global approvals for LEMTRADA® and AUBAGIO®. His leadership at Biogen was marked by the global clinical lead role for TYSABRI®, among other significant contributions to late-stage MS product developments.
Dr. Carol Curtis, CEO of Cadenza Bio, expressed enthusiasm for Dr. Panzara’s board membership, highlighting his unparalleled expertise in MS and neurological disorders as a perfect fit for the company’s vision. “Dr. Panzara’s strategic insights and deep understanding of the industry will be invaluable as we continue to advance our innovative drug pipeline,” said Dr. Curtis.
Dr. Panzara’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University School of Medicine, along with postdoctoral training in immunology and rheumatology. His addition to the board signals Cadenza Bio’s reinforced commitment to spearheading the development of transformative treatments for MS and other related diseases.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to contribute to Cadenza Bio’s mission to develop innovative therapies for MS patients,” Dr. Panzara remarked. “The company’s dual-action therapeutic agents present a significant advancement in addressing the unmet needs within this patient population.”