WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pyramid Biosciences, Inc., a Boston-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new and highly differentiated precision therapies for cancer and other serious diseases, today announced two new appointments to the leadership team.

Brian Lestini, MD, PhD, has joined the company as Chief Medical Officer, where he will oversee the advancement and expansion of the Company’s clinical pipeline. Dr. Lestini joins the Company from Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), where he most recently was Vice President and Development Leader for the relatlimab (anti-LAG3) checkpoint inhibitor program. In this capacity, Dr. Lestini oversaw the development and commercialization strategy for this novel immune-oncology agent across a wide range of tumors. Dr. Lestini brings over a decade of early- and late-stage clinical development leadership experience in Oncology, including the design, execution and submissions leading to the first global approvals of OPDIVO^® (nivolumab, anti-PD1). Previously, Dr. Lestini served as the Global Medical Affairs Head and Development Leader for three hematology products: OPDIVO, SPRYCEL^® (dasatinib), and EMPLICITI^® (elotuzumab). Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Lestini led the early-stage clinical development for BRAF inhibitor programs at Hoffmann-La Roche (OTCMKTS: RHHBY). Dr. Lestini is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist. He received his medical degree (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed his fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Dr. Lestini’s expertise in the design and execution of oncology clinical trials, and his proven track record of successfully bringing drugs through development to global approval, will be invaluable as we transition into a clinical stage company,” said Kollol Pal, PhD, co-founder, and CEO of Pyramid Biosciences. “We are looking forward to Dr. Lestini’s leadership of our clinical programs during this important growth stage of our company.”

“I am excited to be joining Pyramid Biosciences during this exciting phase for the company,” said Dr. Lestini. “I look forward to working with the outstanding Pyramid team to quickly progress the Company’s promising therapies into the clinic, in the hope of helping more patients with high unmet medical need.”

Jeffrey Wasserman, JD, has joined the Company as General Counsel. Mr. Wasserman will oversee all aspects of the Company’s global legal activities and policies. Mr. Wasserman comes to Pyramid Biosciences with nearly 25 years of corporate legal experience, having previously served as both general counsel as well as a partner at multiple law firms. In addition, Mr. Wasserman has also held senior executive and operational roles in multiple pharmaceutical and consumer health care companies. Prior to Pyramid Biosciences, Mr. Wasserman was with Curcio Mirzaian Sirot, a northeast regional law firm where he served as a partner and chairman of its Corporate and Securities practice. Mr. Wasserman was the founder and CEO of an over-the-counter consumer healthcare company and was also a founding general partner of a private equity fund. In addition, Mr. Wasserman has held senior management positions at a number of specialty pharmaceutical companies that focused on cardiology and dermatology, including Triax Pharmaceuticals where he served as general counsel. Mr. Wasserman began his career as a securities attorney in New York at the law firms of Mayer Brown and Morgan Lewis. Mr. Wasserman received his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Seton Hall University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.

“I look forward to working with Jordan, Kollol, Brian and the rest of the team as Pyramid grows to meet its clinical and market potential,” said Mr. Wasserman.

“We are extremely pleased to have Brian and Jeff join our leadership team as we continue to expand our clinical programs,” said Kollol Pal, PhD, and Jordan Leef, Pyramid Biosciences’ co-founders.

About Pyramid Biosciences Inc.

Pyramid Biosciences is dedicated to developing novel and highly-differentiated targeted therapeutics for a wide range of serious diseases that are regulated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) family as well as other molecularly driven mechanisms. By selectively modulating the actions of these important pathways, we can control key signaling responsible for a patient’s disease, condition, or symptoms. For more information, please visit www.pyramidbio.com.

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