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Dr Haijun Sun (Photo: Ona Therapeutics).
 21.10.2021

Biotechnology company Ona Therapeutics strengthens scientific leadership team

Ona Therapeutics, based in the Barcelona Science Park and focused on the discovery and development of therapeutic biologics targeting lipid metabolism in order to treat advanced cancer, announces today the appointment of Dr Haijun Sun as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and the expansion of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) with appointments of leading experts in preclinical, translational and clinical drug development.

Dr Haijun Sun brings over 20 years of industry experience spanning broad aspects of drug discovery & development, particularly targeting therapies against tumors and the tumor microenvironment. He joins Ona from GSK where, as head of Antibody Pharmacology, he led a team of assay biologists and immunologists advancing over twenty antibody discovery programs in oncology, inflammatory, neurological, and infectious diseases. He previously held senior leadership positions at various biotech companies in Europe and the US including vice president of Biological Products at F-star Biotechnology, building a multi-asset portfolio of novel bispecific antibodies with a focus on immuno-oncology. His other leadership roles include director of Portfolio Management at ImClone Systems and vice-president of Antibody Development at Tizona Therapeutics.

Dr Haijun Sun said: “I am very pleased to join Ona Therapeutics, a company with an innovative approach primarily targeting advanced cancer. I am excited to contribute to the development of potentially significant treatments for advanced oncologic diseases. Over the past year Ona has made immense progress and I look forward to working with the team to maximize the full potential of the pipeline.”

Valerie Vanhooren, chief executive officer and co-founder of Ona Therapeutics, said: “We are delighted and honored to welcome world-class talent with vast experience to our senior scientific leadership team as we accelerate the development of novel therapies against advanced cancer. By strengthening the team with Haijun’s extensive translational knowledge in oncology combined with an international and diverse Scientific Advisory Board, we are in a strong position as we advance to the next stage of growth.”

Ona’s Scientific Advisory Board includes world-leading scientific and pharmaceutical industry experts from the US and Europe: Pamela Klein, Cédric Blanpain, Sean J. MorrisonJosep TaberneroMark Throsby and Salvador Aznar Benitah, Ona’s scientific co-founder.

» For further information: Ona Therapeutics website [+]