18 June 2018 - - Cambridge, Massachusetts-based sickle cell disease treatment developer Imara Inc. has appointed Rahul D. Ballal, Ph.D. as its new chief executive officer, the company said.
Ballal comes to Imara from Northern Biologics and Versant Ventures. He has more than 15 years experience in biotech, business development, strategic partnerships, venture capital, and company financing and will help drive important expansions as Imara advances IMR-687, the company's investigational medicine for sickle cell disease.
While at Northern Biologics, Ballal built a first-in-class immune-oncology portfolio, led a broad strategic partnership with Celgene, and managed several key functional roles at the executive level.
At Versant Ventures, he negotiated foundational assets for existing portfolio and new companies, sourced several new deals, and participated in investment team activities.
Ballal earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Brown University, a master's degree in bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Georgetown University.
Imara, a Cydan Development company, is developing novel therapeutics for patients with sickle cell disease. The company was launched following an 18-month scientific collaboration between orphan drug accelerator Cydan Development and H. Lundbeck A/S.