Orogen Therapeutics, a pioneering private drug discovery company, has announced the expansion of its Board of Directors with the addition of two prominent biopharma leaders, Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., and Dieter Weinand, M.S. Dr. Dolsten, formerly the Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research and Development at Pfizer, will assume the role of Chairman of the Orogen Board. Joining him is Dieter Weinand, who previously served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Bayer Pharmaceuticals AG. Their appointments come amid significant advancements in the integration of advanced chemical libraries and artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery, aligning with Orogen’s mission to develop novel small-molecule treatments. The company’s co-founding investors, Marijn Dekkers, Chairman of Novalis LifeSciences and former CEO of Bayer AG, and Phil Austin, Managing Partner of Anterra Capital, welcome the new additions alongside Orogen’s CEO, Dr. Mark Pykett. Marijn Dekkers emphasizes the value of Dr. Dolsten’s and Mr. Weinand’s extensive experience, noting that their involvement is a testament to the company’s robust platform and strategic position. Dr. Dolsten highlights the timeliness of Orogen’s approach, stating that the convergence of drug discovery, advanced chemical libraries, and AI represents a new frontier in medical innovation. Similarly, Mr. Weinand praises Orogen’s focus on advancing novel medicines from discovery to commercialization, a key strength in navigating the complex global healthcare market. Orogen’s platform combines its DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology with AI-driven computational methods to identify novel chemical matter against promising drug targets. One of the company’s primary initiatives involves developing small-molecule alternatives to biologic products in the immuno-inflammation (INI) space. Early successes include identifying hit series against multiple cytokine targets, with several candidates currently in lead optimization. Medically and commercially viable biologics for cytokine targets have proven effective in treating conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, oral small-molecule drugs with strong safety and efficacy profiles may offer more convenient and cost-effective treatment options. Dr. Mark Pykett, Orogen’s CEO, expresses excitement about the new board members' contributions, emphasizing their importance in advancing the company’s proprietary FocusDEL™ platform and its diverse pipeline of therapeutic programs. The FocusDEL™ technology, patent pending, aims to improve hit yields from vast chemical spaces, enabling the identification of promising drug candidates more efficiently. Background on the New Board Members Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Dolsten brings over 16 years of experience as Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research and Development to his new role. Under his leadership, Pfizer achieved regulatory approval for over 36 medicines and vaccines, advancing more than 150 drug candidates into clinical trials. His expertise spans small molecules, biotherapeutics, gene therapies, and vaccines. Dr. Dolsten has been deeply involved in numerous corporate transactions worth over $100 billion, and he currently serves on the boards of Agilent Technologies and Rocket Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, he advises several private biotech firms and is a member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. His extensive scientific contributions include over 160 publications and numerous patents, reflecting his commitment to advancing medical science. Dieter Weinand, M.S. Dieter Weinand boasts over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having held various leadership roles in general management, commercial operations, and strategic planning. His tenure at Bayer Pharmaceuticals saw him lead business operations across multiple regions, including the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the United States. Weinand’s career also includes executive positions at Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Sanofi, where he managed product launches and marketing in areas such as cardiovascular diseases, oncology, dermatology, and immunology. Currently, he chairs the board of Clasp Tx and serves as the Executive Chairman of Fore Bio, among other roles. Industry Insider Evaluation and Company Profile Industry insiders view the addition of Dr. Dolsten and Mr. Weinand as a significant endorsement of Orogen’s innovative approach and potential for success. Their combined experience in both scientific research and commercial leadership is expected to propel Orogen’s development of new small-molecule therapies, particularly in addressing unmet medical needs within the immuno-inflammation space. The company’s strong foundation, including its FocusDEL™ technology and a team of seasoned scientists, positions it well to leverage these new board members’ expertise and reach its ambitious goals. Orogen Therapeutics, with its cutting-edge AI and DEL technologies, is poised to transform the drug discovery landscape. The company’s mission to deliver groundbreaking clinical solutions to patients with serious unmet medical needs is gaining momentum, thanks to the strategic guidance of its expanded board and the solid groundwork laid by its founding team. For more information, visit Orogen’s website at www.orogentx.com.