SAN DIEGO, Calif. (PRWEB)
September 08, 2022

XinThera, Inc., a drug discovery company focused on building a small molecule oncology and immunology pipeline, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Christopher LeMasters as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer. LeMasters, who has served as the company’s EVP and Chief Operating Officer since October 2021, was also appointed to XinThera’s Board of Directors. Additionally, in the wake of the passing of the company’s founder, Stephen Kaldor, Ph.D., the board elected Qing Dong, Ph.D., the company’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, as Chairman of the Board.

“These changes reflect the Board’s confidence in the leadership and commitment both Chris and Qing have demonstrated during their tenure at XinThera,” said Michael Rome, Ph.D., member of XinThera’s Board of Directors and managing director of Foresite Capital. “The rapid advancement of the company’s goals and strategic initiatives is evidence of such leadership, and I look forward to continuing to support this exceptional management team and company.”

About Christopher LeMasters, CEO of XinThera, Inc.

Over his 30-year career, Mr. LeMasters has co-founded and served as a management team member for multiple biotechnology companies. Prior to serving as COO of XinThera, he was COO of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, where he led the strategic efforts that resulted in the company’s successful sale to Pfizer in April 2021. From 2016 to 2020, Mr. LeMasters was EVP & CBO of Mirati Therapeutics, where he was responsible for corporate development, strategy, and investor relations. He also served as the CEO of Promosome, a privately held mRNA re-engineering company, and as CBO at Conforma Therapeutics, Cabrellis Therapeutics, and Tragara Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, he worked in the corporate business development group at Eli Lilly & Company and as a management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand and Owens-Corning.

Mr. LeMasters holds a BS in Finance from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

About Qing Dong, Ph.D., co-founder, and CSO of XinThera, Inc.

Mr. Dong is a passionate drug hunter with more than 25 years of experience in drug discovery. He has particular strength in the structure-based design of oncology and inflammation drug candidates and has contributed to five marketed drugs and more than 15 clinical phase compounds. Prior to co-founding XinThera in 2021 along with Stephen Kaldor, Ph.D., and Gene Hung, M.D., he co-founded small molecule inflammation biotech FronThera in 2015 and served as its President & CSO through its successful acquisition in February 2021. From 2010 to 2015, Mr. Dong was CSO at Hengrui and played an integral role in building this leading Chinese pharmaceutical company’s small molecule portfolio. Earlier in his career, he worked as a medicinal chemist at both Takeda and Triad Therapeutics.

Mr. Dong received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Rice University and completed his post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School.

About XinThera, Inc.

XinThera, Inc. is a drug discovery company focused on building a small molecule oncology and immunology pipeline. Its lead programs focus on well-validated targets with a mission to rapidly create and advance fast-follower programs with best-in-class potential in areas of high-unmet need. For more information, please visit http://www.xinthera.com.

Contact:

Mary Gieson

Sr. Director Corporate Operations

XinThera, Inc.

mgieson@xinthera.com

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