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Usman "Oz" Azam
Biotech CEO | Board Member | LifeScience Advisor
Usman "Oz" Azam is the Chief Executive Officer of Inspirna, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. He joined Inspirna as CEO in May 2023, bringing over two decades of drug development experience to the role.5
Professional Background
Azam is recognized as a world-class thought leader in the pharmaceutical industry, known for his clear and open communication style focused on delivering superior results.1 His extensive experience in drug development makes him a valuable asset to Inspirna's leadership team.
Career Highlights
- Inspirna, Inc.: Appointed as CEO in May 20235
- Tmunity: Joined in 2018, playing a significant role in the company's development3
- Previous Experience: Over 20 years in drug development across various companies
Expertise and Leadership
Azam's expertise spans several areas:
- Drug development
- Cell and gene therapy
- Industry leadership
- Strategic planning
He has been involved in presenting Inspirna's clinical data at major conferences, such as the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.7 Azam also actively participates in industry discussions, having been invited to podcasts to share his insights on the cell and gene therapy field.4
Recent Achievements
Under Azam's leadership, Inspirna has made significant strides:
- Partnered with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to accelerate the global development of Ompenaclid (RGX-202)6
- Presented clinical data from Phase 1b/2 study of Ompenaclid in advanced colorectal cancer at ESMO7
Azam's role at Inspirna involves driving the company's growth, overseeing drug development programs, and representing the company at major industry events like the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (JPM).2
Highlights
Delighted to welcome Karim Benhadji to our team at Inspirna and to thank our amazing colleague Robert Wasserman for all his contributions to our pipeline and our culture at Inspirna, Inc. We are excited about our progress with our lead program Ompenaclid in Phase 2 RAS mutant metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Abequolixron in Phase 1b in NSCLC & Endometrial Cancer.
Ahead of JP Morgan 2024, I am pleased to announce that Inspirna, Inc. & Merck Group, Darmstadt, Germany are collaborating to further advance the development of ompenaclid, a first-in-class orally-administered small molecule SLC6A8 inhibitor, as a treatment for patients suffering with 2nd line metastatic colorectal cancer who have a RAS mutation. Ompenaclid is currently in phase 2 development. Details of the deal can be viewed below. We hope that collectively our companies can help transform the lives of thousands of patients around the world suffering with this cancer. #oncology #pharmaceuticals #colorectalcancer
