BOOST Pharma Appoints Veteran Biotech Leader Elaine Jones, PhD, As Chair Of The Board To Guide BT-101 Into Late-Stage Development

BOOST Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, off-the-shelf cell therapies for rare pediatric skeletal disorders, announced the appointment of Elaine Jones, PhD, as Chair of its Board of Directors. Jones succeeds Ingelise Saunders, who will continue to serve as a member of the Board.

Elaine Jones brings more than 20 years of experience as a biopharmaceutical executive, venture investor, and board leader. Over the course of her career, she has served on more than 35 company boards and held senior leadership positions across the global life sciences sector. Her background includes serving as Vice President of Venture Capital at Pfizer Ventures, where she led strategic investments aligned with research and development priorities, as well as earlier leadership roles at SR One, the venture arm of GSK.

Jones’ appointment comes at a pivotal time for BOOST Pharma as it prepares to advance its lead candidate, BT-101, toward Phase III development. BT-101 is an off-the-shelf cell therapy designed for osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease. Early clinical data have shown reductions in fracture rates among treated children, supporting BT-101’s potential to become the first disease-modifying therapy for this severe and rare condition.

Hans Schambye, Chief Executive Officer of BOOST Pharma, said the Board is entering a new stage of strategic growth. He noted that Jones’ combination of strategic vision, investment expertise, and governance leadership will be instrumental as the company moves BT-101 into late-stage clinical development. Schambye also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Chair Ingelise Saunders, crediting her with guiding BOOST through critical milestones and expressing gratitude for her continued involvement as a Board Director.

Elaine Jones currently serves on the boards of CytomX Therapeutics, HBM Healthcare Investments, and NextCure. She is also Chair of Mironid and a member of the Board of the Novartis Venture Fund. Reflecting on her appointment, Jones said BOOST Pharma has the scientific and clinical foundation needed to transform treatment options for children living with osteogenesis imperfecta. 

She emphasized that BT-101 represents a compelling opportunity to address a long-standing unmet need and expressed her commitment to supporting the company as it progresses into late-stage development. As BOOST Pharma moves into this next phase, the company plans to engage with partners and investors at major industry events this spring, including BIO-Europe Spring and LSX World Congress Europe, where CEO Hans Schambye will participate in panel discussions.