Kaida BioPharma Appoints New Executive Leadership Team To Advance KAD-101 Toward First-In-Human Trials

Kaida BioPharma, a biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for women with difficult-to-treat gynecologic cancers, has announced the appointment of its executive leadership team and board members. The company’s newly formed team brings decades of experience across biotechnology, clinical research, regulatory strategy, manufacturing, finance, and commercialization. Their collective expertise will support the advancement of Kaida’s lead candidate, KAD-101, as it prepares for first-in-human clinical evaluation.

KAD-101 is being developed for recurrent ovarian cancer, a setting in which treatment options narrow rapidly and durable responses remain limited. The therapy is designed as a next-generation prolactin receptor antagonist intended to address what the company refers to as the “ovarian cancer gap,” where many patients face repeated treatment cycles with few lasting benefits.

Kaida founder Stella Vnook has been named Acting Chief Executive Officer while continuing in her role as Chairperson of the Board. Dr. Vnook, an experienced biotechnology entrepreneur and advisor, has led multiple early-stage therapeutic programs from scientific foundation through capital formation. She will oversee corporate strategy, development planning, and investor engagement.

In a statement, Dr. Vnook said she was drawn to the program by the strength of the underlying science and remains committed because of the patients who continue to face limited treatment choices. She noted that KAD-101 aims to disrupt tumor survival pathways that drive treatment resistance and may offer the potential for more durable disease control.

Co-founder Craig Pierson has been appointed Director. With more than 25 years of experience in life sciences investment banking and private capital formation, he will provide financial and strategic oversight as the company advances its pipeline.

The company has also named George E. Peoples as fractional Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Peoples is a surgical oncologist with extensive experience in translational oncology and clinical development. He is the founder of the Cancer Vaccine Development Program, Cancer Insight, and LumaBridge. At Kaida, he will guide clinical strategy and support preparation of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for KAD-101.

Serving as fractional Chief Scientific Officer, John Langenheim joins the leadership team with more than two decades of experience in protein engineering and preclinical development. His scientific direction has been central to the advancement of KAD-101 toward clinical readiness.

Kaida has also appointed Pamela Swiggard as Head of Regulatory Affairs. Swiggard, who has held senior roles at Pfizer and Endo Pharmaceuticals, brings broad experience across the product lifecycle from development through regulatory approval and commercialization. She will lead regulatory strategy, including FDA engagement for KAD-101.

In manufacturing, Eric Hacherl has been named Head of Manufacturing. Dr. Hacherl has more than 25 years of experience in biologics production, cGMP operations, and process development. He will oversee clinical supply readiness as the company moves toward human studies.

Rounding out the leadership team is Mark Booth, appointed Chief Commercial Officer. Booth brings more than 25 years of commercial experience in oncology and rare diseases, including leadership roles involving major therapies such as EMEND, Zolinza, KEYTRUDA and the avutometinib-defactinib combination for low-grade serous ovarian cancer. At Kaida, he will shape commercial strategy for KAD-101, focusing on market preparation, product positioning, and long-term access planning.

With its leadership team now established, Kaida BioPharma is preparing for the next phase of development for KAD-101. The company aims to address the unmet needs of women with recurrent ovarian cancer by developing a therapeutic approach that targets tumor survival pathways and seeks to overcome treatment resistance.