Accomplished hematologist-oncologist will provide medical, clinical development, and strategic operational leadership to the ongoing rusfertide Phase 3 development program
Protagonist Therapeutics announced the appointment of Arturo Molina, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.P. to the role of Chief Medical Officer, effective November 7, 2022.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Molina to Protagonist as our Chief Medical Officer," said Dinesh V. Patel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Protagonist. "As a widely respected hematologist-oncologist and practicing physician, he brings a wealth of experience in clinical research and development, including a strong track record of advancing therapeutics from preclinical through Phase 1-3 studies, global regulatory approvals, and successful commercial launches. Arturo's immediate focus will align with our top priority—execution of the Phase 3 VERIFY study of rusfertide in polycythemia vera. With Arturo's arrival, we are further strengthening our world-class team at Protagonist, firmly dedicated to our mission of advancing new therapies to improve patients' lives."
"I am thrilled to join Protagonist at this exciting juncture," said Dr. Molina. "I believe rusfertide has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm and patient journey for people living with polycythemia vera. The opportunity to guide the Phase 3 VERIFY study forward to its successful completion, and to lead and support preparations for rusfertide's potential regulatory review and market approval, is exciting and well aligned to my personal commitment to bringing meaningful therapeutic innovations into settings of clinical practice and patient care."
Dr. Molina joins Protagonist from Sutro Biopharma, where he was Chief Medical Officer since 2016. Prior to Sutro, Dr. Molina was Vice President, Oncology Scientific Innovation at Johnson & Johnson. Earlier in his career, Dr. Molina was Chief Medical Officer at Cougar Biotechnology, acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2009. From 1991 to 2002, Dr. Molina was a faculty staff physician in the Department of Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Medical Oncology/Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Adjunct Professor from 2002 to 2004. Dr. Molina earned his M.D. and M.S. in physiology degrees from Stanford University Medical Center, and a B.A. in psychology and B.S. in zoology from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Molina maintains an Adjunct Clinical Faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine.
Source: Protagonist Therapeutics
