Synthorx, Inc, a biotechnology company focused on innovative protein therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune disorders and other serious diseases, announced yesterday that it has named Joseph Leveque, MD as its chief medical officer.

Dr Leveque has more than 20 years of biotechnology management and therapeutic development experience, previously working as CMO of ARMO BioSciences. Prior to this, he was CMO of EMD Serono and the vice president and head of US medical oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Laura Shawver, PhD, chief executive officer of Synthorx, said, 'Dr Leveque joins us with a deep-rooted knowledge of the immuno-oncology space, notably with his experience at ARMO BioSciences leading the pivotal Phase 3 trials of the company's lead IO drug candidate, as well as his involvement in the development and commercialization of Opdivo, Yervoy, and Bavencio, during his time at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA. Dr Leveque is an invaluable addition to our leadership team as we advance our Synthorin cytokine pipeline, including moving our IL-2 Synthorins into clinical trials, where we expect to demonstrate proof of clinical activity in our initial studies in oncology and autoimmune indications.'