Press Release - June 8, 2020
Amolyt Pharma Appoints Pierre Legault as New Chairman »

Advancing peptides for the treatment of rare endocrine and metabolic disorders

We are building on our team's established expertise in therapeutic peptides to deliver life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

PROGRAMS

AZP-3601

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder that is characterized by a deficiency in parathyroid hormone (PTH), resulting in dysregulation of calcium and phosphorus, two essential minerals in the body. Despite conventional treatments, patients frequently experience persistent life-altering symptoms and often develop secondary chronic conditions, such as kidney disease.

AZP-3601 is a parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog that targets a specific configuration of the PTH1 receptor to safely produce sustained levels of calcium in the blood and thereby control the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism. AZP-3601 has been designed to prevent chronic kidney disease by limiting the amount of calcium eliminated in the urine and to preserve bone integrity, an important benefit, since a large proportion of patients with hypoparathyroidism are middle-aged women often at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

We are preparing for the initiation of a Phase 1 program for AZP-3601 during the second half of 2020.

AZP-3601 (red) bound to the PTH1 receptor. Adapted from Zhao et al. Science 364:138, 2019. Image generated with the PyMOL Molecular Graphics System, Version 2.3.2 Schrödinger, LLC.

AZP-3404

AZP-3404 is the first therapeutic peptide to leverage the biology of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) to stimulate multiple well-established pathways that restore the body’s regulation of fat and glucose metabolism.

At this time, we are generating additional data to prioritize potential target indications for AZP-3404. We are also conducting pre-investigational new drug activities in preparation for the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2021.

AZP-3404

LEADERSHIP

Management

Our global management team is composed of a highly dedicated group of senior executives with proven drug development expertise and achievements in peptide therapeutics, as well as thorough knowledge of rare endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Thiery Abribat
Thierry Abribat, Ph.D.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Thierry Abribat, Ph.D.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Thierry Abribat is a biotech entrepreneur who has founded and managed 3 biotech companies, one of which, Alizé Pharma 2, was acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and, another, Alizé Pharma, was acquired by Millendo Therapeutics (Nasdaq: MLND). Prior to founding Alizé Pharma, he held several executive positions with increasing responsibilities in drug development, business development and management at Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) and at OPi, Pharmaceuticals for Rare Diseases, until OPi’s acquisition by EUSA Pharma Inc. Thierry began his career as a scientist for Sanofi, then at University of Montreal and as a consultant to the biopharmaceutical industry. He holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. from the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse.

Michael Culler
Michael Culler, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer

Michael Culler, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer

Michael Culler brings over 35 years of research experience and is an internationally recognized expert in endocrinology, metabolic disorders and peptide therapeutics with over 200 publications and 22 patents.  He was formerly Vice President of Endocrinology Research for Ipsen, where he led programs in diverse endocrine/metabolic areas that resulted in six compounds reaching clinical development. Michael led the preclinical programs that produced the key assets for Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (relamorelin and setmelanotide), Tiburio Therapeutics (TBR-760 and 065), and Radius Pharma (abaloparatide; Tymlos®). He is a co-founder of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and the scientific founder of Tiburio Therapeutics. Prior to joining industry, Michael conducted basic neuroendocrine research, both as a fellow at Tulane University School of Medicine and as a staff researcher at the National Institutes of Health.  In addition to his role as CSO for Alizé, Michael heads the Scientific Advisory Board for Tiburio, and is a member of the Expert List Committee of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).

Soraya Allas
Soraya Allas, M.D., PH.D.

VP, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs

Soraya Allas, M.D., PH.D.

VP Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs

Soraya Allas has a broad drug development background and extensive experience in strategic and operational roles in the biotech industry. Prior to joining Alizé Pharma 3, she was VP, Clinical Development for Millendo Therapeutics where she led the pivotal clinical development program of the unacylated ghrelin analog, livoletide, in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). From 2010-2017, Soraya was Medical Director for Alizé Pharma where she led development and regulatory activities of all drug candidates, in particular livoletide from selection of lead through Phase 2a and Asparec®, a recombinant asparaginase. Prior to Alizé Pharma, she held leadership roles of increasing responsibilities in clinical development for endocrine and metabolic diseases at Theratechnologies that led to the approval of the growth hormone-releasing hormone analog, Egrifta®, for HIV-lipodystrophy. Soraya holds an M.D. from the University of Algiers and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Montreal.

Patrick Loustau
Patrick Loustau, M.S., M.A.

Chief Business Officer

Patrick Loustau, M.S., M.A.

Chief Business Officer

Patrick Loustau has over 25 years of global experience in developing and managing biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Prior to joining Alize Pharma 3, from 2017-2019, Patrick was the CEO of Zumbro Discovery, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company. From 2014-2016, he was the President of Zafgen, Inc., a Boston based biotechnology company focused on rare metabolic disease indications. Patrick was the SVP of Global Commercialization, Cardiovascular and Metabolics for Bristol-Myers Squibb from 2010-2014 and worked for 14 years for Novo Nordisk where he had several roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as SVP Global Marketing and Medical Affairs. Patrick attended The General Manager Program, Harvard Business School and holds a M.A. in Human Resources/Marketing, M.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Physiology.

Thomas Delale, Ph.D.
Thomas Delale, Ph.D.

VP, Portfolio Management

Thomas Delale Ph.D.

VP, Portfolio Management

Thomas Delale is a biopharmaceutical professional with over 18 years of experience that spans from peptide drug discovery to late clinical stage development and corporate/business development. He has actively supported the creation of Alizé Pharma 3 as program and corporate development lead. Thomas was most recently Director, business development at Millendo Therapeutics (MLND). From 2010-2017, Thomas was the Innovation Manager for Alizé Pharma (acquired by Millendo Therapeutics) where he spearheaded livoletide (AZP-531) from discovery through Phase 2b/3 and supported Business Development and M&A activities. Prior to Alizé Pharma, he worked for the French Public Bank of Investment (Bpifrance). Thomas began his career as a scientist at the Schering-Plough Research Institute (now part of Merck & Co). Thomas holds a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Lyon and a M.S. from the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon.

Delphine Martinez
Delphine Martinez, MBA

General Counsel

Delphine Martinez, MBA

General Counsel

Prior to joining Alizé Pharma 3, Delphine Martinez was the Head of Legal Affairs for ERYTECH, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for rare forms of cancer and orphan diseases. Over her 13-year tenure at ERYTECH, she had the opportunity to deal with a wide range of legal issues varying from contracts to intellectual property, corporate law and human resources. Delphine contributed to all the development phases of the company from the establishment and the administration of its US subsidiary to its listing on stock exchange markets, both on the Euronext and Nasdaq.  She began her career within the legal department of Opi (now part of EUSA Pharma). Delphine holds a Master degree in International Business Law from the Jean Moulin University in Lyon and an M.B.A. from I.A.E. Lyon School of Management.

Board OF DIRECTORS
Pierre Legault

Chairman of the Board Directors, Amolyt Pharma

Pierre Legault, MBA, CPA

Chairman of the Board Directors, Amolyt Pharma

In addition to serving as Amolyt Pharma’s chairman of the board, Mr. Legault also serves as the chairman of Artios Pharma, Bicycle Therapeutics and Poxel Pharma. He is lead director of Urovant Sciences and board director of Syndax Pharmaceuticals and has acted as a board director for more than fifteen additional biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies. Mr. Legault was the chief executive officer of Prosidion and served as the chief financial officer and treasurer of OSI Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Legault also worked as the chief executive officer of Eckerd Pharmacy and other companies. Prior, he held various global roles such as president and chief financial officers at legacy companies of Sanofi group. Mr. Legault earned his MBA in marketing from McGill University, his bachelor’s degree from HEC University of Montreal and also studied at Harvard Business School.

Felice Verduyn-van Weegen

Investment Manager at LSP

Felice Verduyn-van Weegen, MBA

Investment Manager, LSP

Felice Verduyn-van Weegen currently works as an investment manager at LSP and serves on the board of several companies, including AM-Pharma, Vico Therapeutics, Pharvaris and Oxthera. Prior to joining LSP, she was a consultant at McKinsey & Company with a primary focus on healthcare. Before McKinsey, Ms. Verduyn-van Weegen was a neuroscientist and statistical geneticist, working with the prestigious complex traits genetics group at the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School in Cambridge. She received her master’s degree in neuroscience from the VU University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and her MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.

Naveed Siddiqi

Partner at Novo Ventures

Naveed Siddiqi, M.D.

Partner, Novo Ventures

Naveed Siddiqi, M.D., is a Partner at Novo Ventures. He brings more than 20 years of experience in life science venture investments and investment banking. Most recently, he was Partner at Andera Partners, a Paris based venture capital and growth equity firm with over €2 billion under management, focusing on life science investing. Prior to that, he worked for Nomura Phase4 Ventures, Nomura International, EFG Corporate Finance, KPMG and as a medical doctor in the UK’s National Health Service. Dr. Siddiqi has served on several life science company boards in both Europe and the U.S. Dr. Siddiqi obtained his M.D. from Guy’s and St. Thomas’s Hospital Medical School (now King’s College London). Later, he also qualified as a chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England & Wales.

Thierry Laugel

Managing Partner at Kurma Partners

Thierry Laugel, PharmD, Ph.D., MBA

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Kurma Partners

Thierry Laugel co-founded Kurma Partners in 2009 and currently serves as the managing partner. Additionally, he is a board member of Amolyt Pharma, Ermium, Horama, Minoryx, Blink Biomedical, Talix, Meiogenix and Pathoquest. Mr. Laugel started his career as R&D project manager for Laboratoires Fournier in Tokyo. Later, he joined Flamel Technologies, just after its successful listing on Nasdaq, and managed the development-stage portfolio of the company. He then moved to investments at Caisse des Dépôts (CDC) and then at AGF Private Equity (Allianz Group) in 2005. Mr. Laugel has led investments in more than 25 companies including Actelion, Arpida, Targacept, Adocia and Erytech. He earned his PharmD from Strasbourg University, PhD from Paris Sud University and MBA from INSEAD.

Roy Amariglio

Principal at OrbiMed

Roy Amariglio, Ph.D., M.S., MBA

Principal, OrbiMed

Roy Amariglio is a Principal at OrbiMed responsible for venture capital investments in biotech, medical device and diagnostics companies. Prior to joining OrbiMed, he was a director of mergers, acquisitions and licensing at Bayer HealthCare. While at Bayer, he held several positions of increasing responsibilities in oncology marketing and business development. Dr. Amariglio received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Tel Aviv University, his master’s degree and PhD in molecular genetics from the Weizmann Institute in Israel and his MBA in finance and healthcare management from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Iyona Rajkomar

Partner at Pontifax

Iyona Rajkomar, M.D., CFA

Partner, Pontifax

Iyona Rajkomar is a partner at Pontifax and based in London. She previously spent four years at Advent Life Sciences, where she was a board member and founder of a number of Advent Life Sciences’ early stage companies. Iyona has a prior background in equity research and consulting. She trained as a MD and holds the CFA charter.

Thierry Abribat

CEO of Amolyt Pharma

Michael Culler

CSO of Amolyt Pharma

Observers
René Kuijten

Managing Partner at LSP

Rene Kuijten, M.D., Ph.D., MBA

Co-Owner and Managing Partner, LSP

Dr. René Kuijten is the managing partner and co-owner of LSP. He also currently serves on the board of Simplify Medical, Artios Pharma and Amolyt Pharma. In addition, he initiated the Oncode Institute, where he is currently a supervisory board member. Earlier, René was a board member of the Dutch Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (NVP) for 12 years. Prior to joining LSP, Dr. Kuijten was a senior consultant for eight years at McKinsey & Company in Amsterdam, Brussels and Zurich. Dr. Kuijten is a member of the national Topsector Life Sciences & Health (Health~Holland) and has authored several scientific articles, including in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Kuijten studied at the University of Utrecht, Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinics for his MD. Dr. Kuijten obtained an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France and obtained his PhD at the University of Amsterdam on research performed at the University of Pennsylvania as a WHO fellow.

Meredith Fisher

Partner at Partners Healthcare Innovation Fund

Meredith Fisher, Ph.D.

Partner, Innovation Fund

Meredith Fisher is a partner with the Innovation Fund focusing on early stage investments and company creation. She is also a board of directors’ member at Metera, represents the fund on the boards of Nocion and Mediar Therapeutics and serves as board observer at Lyndra and Amolyt Pharma. She is the 2019-2020 co-chair of Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology (WEST) and serves as an advisor to Takeda HATCH. Prior to Innovation Fund, she was in the private and family office at Bracebridge Capital. Previous to that role, Ms. Fisher led business development for Ginkgo BioWorks and served as senior director of technology and business development of Enlight Biosciences. She spent several years working as a scientist in drug discovery and assay development for Idenix Pharmaceuticals and Anadys Pharmaceuticals, formerly Scriptgen. Ms. Fisher received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, her MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and her PhD from Harvard University. While at Harvard, she co-founded Harvard Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (HGWISE).

OlivIer Martinez

Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance

Olivier Martinez, Ph.D., MBA

Senior Investment Director, Bpifrance, Life Science team

Olivier Martinez currently serves as a senior investment director at Bpifrance. Prior to Bpifrance, he joined the Bioam Fund in 2000 as an associate and later became an investment manager and member of the executive board. Earlier in his career, he pursued his doctoral studies in cell biology at the Pasteur and Curie Institutes in Paris. After undergoing management training, he joined the Life Science Group of Gemini Consulting (Cap Gemini). He is an alumnus of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, holds a PhD in cell biology from the University of Paris-Saclay and an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs.

Mounia Chaoui

Associate Director at Turenne Santé

Mounia Chaoui, Ph.D.

General Partner, Turenne Capital

Mounia Chaoui has served as a general partner at Turenne Capital since 2013. She previously worked as a life science investor at Ventech, INSERM Transfert Initiative and Atlas Venture. Additionally, she served as a board member for several companies that were acquired or had gone public on NASDQ or Euronext, including Biovex, which sold to Amgen for up to $1B and Tigenix, which was acquired by Takeda. Ms. Chaoui holds a PhD in biophysics and a degree in engineering from Ecole Centrale, Paris.

Investors

Since its inception, Alizé Pharma 3, now Amolyt Pharma, has raised 3.3 M€ ($3.6 M) in seed funding, followed by a 67 M€ ($74 M) Series A financing from a strong international syndicate of investors.
LSP
Novo Holdings
Kurma Partners
OrbiMed
Pontifax
Partners Healthcare
bpifrance
Turenne
sham partageons plus
CA
SofiMAC
initiative OCTALFA
Kreaxi

Press Releases & Recent News

Amolyt Pharma Appoints Pierre Legault as a Director and Chairman of its Board of Directors as Company Transitions into Clinical Stage

June 8, 2020

Amolyt Pharma, a global company specialized in developing therapeutic peptides for rare endocrine and metabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Pierre Legault, MBA, CPA as director and chairman of its board of directors…

Read More →
Written by
jpoly4

Alizé Pharma 3 Announces Rebranding to Amolyt Pharma, Reflecting a Strategic Focus on Building and Advancing a Portfolio of Therapeutic Peptides for Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases

June 2, 2020

Alizé Pharma 3 Announces Rebranding to Amolyt Pharma, Reflecting a Strategic Focus on Building and Advancing a Portfolio of Therapeutic …

Read More →
Written by
jpoly4

Alizé Pharma 3 raises €67 million ($75 million) in Series A from a strong international syndicate

July 31, 2019

Alizé Pharma 3 raises €67 million ($75 million) in Series A from a strong international syndicate Download a PDF copy …

Read More →
Written by
jpoly4

Join Our Team

We are always looking for talented and driven individuals to join our diverse and collaborative team to help us achieve our mission.

Contact Us

We welcome open and continuous dialogue with all interested parties, including patients, healthcare providers, potential partners and investors.

FRANCE

15, chemin du Saquin
Espace Européen, Building G
69 130 Ecully

+33 428 01 21 54
United States

Riverside Center
275 Grove Street, Suite 2-4035
Newton, MA, 02466

Scroll to Top