SAN DIEGO — Neomorph Inc., a biotechnology company developing molecular glue degraders to target historically undruggable proteins, has appointed former Celgene Chairman and CEO Robert J. Hugin as chairman of its board of directors.
Hugin brings more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience, including a tenure at Celgene in which he helped build the company into a global biotechnology leader. Celgene became known for developing and commercializing major therapies in oncology, immunology and inflammation before its acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb.
“Bob has a rare ability to translate bold science into enduring companies,” said Phil Chamberlain, D.Phil., co-founder, president and CEO of Neomorph. “He’s been at the center of one of biotech’s most defining growth stories, and his strategic instincts and operational depth will be critical as we advance our pipeline and scale the company. We’re proud to welcome him as Chairman as we move into our next stage of growth.”
Neomorph is advancing a platform focused on molecular glue degraders, a class of therapies designed to direct disease-driving proteins for degradation. The approach is aimed at expanding drug discovery into targets that have historically been difficult to reach with conventional small-molecule drugs.
“Neomorph is tackling one of the most exciting frontiers in drug discovery,” said Hugin. “Its molecular glue degrader platform opens the door to a new set of targets that have long been out of reach. I’m excited to partner with the team to help realize that potential and accelerate the delivery of new therapies to patients.”
Hugin previously served as chairman of the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, representing the U.S. biopharmaceutical industry on policy and regulatory issues. He currently serves as a director of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Chubb Limited and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Earlier in his career, he was a managing director at J.P. Morgan.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.
“We believe Bob’s decades-long experience in guiding biopharma companies to and through value-creating milestones will significantly augment the Neomorph team’s capabilities as they continue to advance their molecular glue degraders through clinical trials and beyond,” said Cam Wheeler, partner at Deerfield Management, founding investor in Neomorph. “We welcome Bob to the board and look forward to working together.”
