SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ORIC Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held oncology company focused on the discovery and development of drugs targeting treatment-resistant cancers, announced today the appointments of Ashraf Hanna, PhD, MD, as Chief Executive Officer, and Darcy Mootz, PhD, as Chief Business Officer.
CEO Announcement
“The appointment of Dr. Hanna, along with the expansion of the senior management team, reflects the maturation of the company and our long-term commitment to building an oncology company with multiple discovery and development programs. We chose Ashraf because of his broad background including his scientific knowledge, expertise in drug development, business and finance experience, as well as his managerial skills,” said Peter Svennilson, Chairman of the ORIC Board of Directors. “Ashraf is not only an outstanding leader, but he also he shares our passion for bringing forth first-of-a-kind medicines that will improve the lives of those fighting cancer.”
“I am honored by the opportunity that the Board has extended to me. I’m excited to join such a dynamic and ambitious organization, with such an important and purposeful mission – overcoming cancer resistance,” said Dr. Hanna.
Dr. Hanna will take over from Rich Heyman, PhD, who has been the interim CEO for the past six months. During this time, Dr. Heyman raised over $75 million in investments and established ORIC’s scientific and leadership team. Dr. Heyman will remain on ORIC’s Board of Directors.
Prior to joining ORIC, Dr. Hanna was Vice President of Commercial and Medical Affairs Finance at Genentech and CFO of the Genentech Foundation. He was a member of Genentech’s Commercial Leadership Committee, and previously headed Genentech’s Alliance Management and Portfolio Planning groups. Before Genentech, he was at Tanox and McKinsey and Company. Dr. Hanna holds a PhD in Physics from Harvard University, an MD from the University of Massachusetts, and undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Chicago.
CBO Announcement
“We are building a phenomenal team at ORIC, as evidenced by our recruitment of our Chief Business Offer, Darcy Mootz, who brings a wealth of experience across corporate development, strategic planning, and corporate finance,” said Dr. Richard Heyman, former interim CEO of ORIC. “She is well-positioned to join the leadership team and take on senior responsibilities at ORIC.”
“With a strong leadership team, scientific team, and Board of Directors, ORIC is poised to make a meaningful impact in the treatment of cancer,” said Dr. Mootz. “I’m pleased to be part of such an organization.”
Prior to joining ORIC, Dr. Mootz was Vice President of Corporate Development at Achaogen, where she led corporate development & alliance management, served as the project team leader for the company’s lead asset, and contributed to successful financings, including an IPO. Before Achaogen, she held a variety of roles across corporate development, marketing, and strategic planning at BiPar Sciences, Genentech, and L.E.K. Consulting. Dr. Mootz holds a PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University and a BS in biology from Duke University.
About ORIC Pharmaceuticals
ORIC Pharmaceuticals is a privately-held cancer therapy company focused on the discovery and development of drugs targeting treatment-resistant cancers. ORIC was founded by two world-renowned experts in oncology, Charles Sawyers and Scott Lowe, who have strong records of discovering innovative treatments and targets in cancer. The company has also assembled a strong leadership team, a highly-experienced scientific team, and a Board with extensive experience in both drug development and financing. The company launched in 2014 and is funded by leading biotechnology investors, including The Column Group, Topspin Partners, OrbiMed Advisors, EcoR1 Capital, Foresite Capital, and Kravis Investment Partners. ORIC is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. For more information, please contact info@oricpharma.com.
