Anaveon Appoints Eric Zanelli and Jill Jene to Lead Science and Business Development

Anaveon's dual C-suite appointments signal a deliberate build-out of the translational and commercial infrastructure needed to carry lead asset ANV200 through clinical development and toward a potential FDA accelerated approval pathway for autoimmune and inflammatory indications. The Basel-based late-stage biotech named Eric Zanelli, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer and Jill Jene, Ph.D., MBA, as Chief Business Officer, effective May 2026.

Zanelli brings over 25 years of immunology and translational medicine experience, including a track record of securing FDA agreement on surrogate endpoints. At Allievex Corp., he developed biomarker strategies that supported an accelerated approval submission for an enzyme replacement therapy in Sanfilippo B syndrome, a regulatory approach directly transferable to Anaveon's precision biologics programs. He also advanced peptide immune modulators into Phase Ib trials at Peptimmune and holds more than 50 scientific publications alongside multiple patents.

For regulatory affairs leads tracking CMC and biomarker strategy in autoimmune biologics, Zanelli's appointment carries operational weight. His prior work establishing FDA-accepted surrogate endpoints suggests Anaveon intends to pursue an evidence-based regulatory strategy from early clinical stages, reducing late-stage uncertainty around approval timelines.

Jene's profile addresses the capital and partnership requirements that typically constrain mid-stage biotechs. She has closed more than 50 transactions totalling over $6 billion across immunology, neurology, and oncology, most recently as fractional CBO through Jene Advisors and previously as VP of Corporate Development at Adamas Pharmaceuticals. Her current board role at Lipocine Inc. (NASDAQ: LPCN) adds public-company governance experience to Anaveon's executive bench.

CEO Thaminda Ramanayake framed the appointments as central to Anaveon's transition into active clinical development and pipeline expansion, with both executives expected to contribute to long-term positioning in the autoimmune biologics space.

The measurable near-term checkpoint is ANV200's advancement into the clinic, where Zanelli's biomarker and regulatory strategy will face its first substantive test against FDA expectations for precision immunology programs.

Source: Anaveon via GlobeNewswire, 19 May 2026.