San Francisco — SonoThera, a biotechnology company developing genetic medicines, has appointed Adam J. Shaywitz, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Shaywitz brings about two decades of biopharmaceutical industry experience in early- and late-stage drug development, with expertise in genetic medicine, rare diseases and novel therapeutic platforms.
“Adam brings an exceptional combination of clinical development expertise, deep experience in genetic medicines, and a track record of advancing innovative science from preclinical research into clinical development,” said Kenneth Greenberg, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SonoThera. “As we advance our pipeline toward the clinic, his translational and clinical expertise will be instrumental in shaping our development strategy and realizing the potential of our technology for patients.”
Before joining SonoThera, Dr. Shaywitz served as Chief Medical Officer of BridgeBio Gene Therapy, where he led clinical and medical strategy for a portfolio of gene therapy programs. His team advanced AAV gene therapies for conditions including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Canavan disease through clinical and regulatory milestones.
He also helped secure Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for BBP-812, an investigational AAV9 gene therapy for Canavan disease.
“SonoThera’s approach has the potential to overcome fundamental delivery challenges that have limited the reach of genetic medicines,” said Dr. Shaywitz. “I am excited to join Ken and the team at this important stage and help translate this technology into meaningful new treatment options for patients.”
Dr. Shaywitz previously spent five years at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, ultimately serving as Executive Medical Director and leading clinical development programs across multiple rare diseases, including gene therapy and enzyme replacement therapy programs.
Earlier, he served as Medical Director at Amgen, where he led first-in-human and Phase 1 development programs in cardiometabolic disease.
Dr. Shaywitz received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School and his A.B. in Biochemistry from Harvard College. He completed medical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Joslin Diabetes Center. He previously served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine.
