Moleculin Biotech Taps Industry Veteran Adriano Treve To Lead Strategic Partnership Initiatives And Accelerate Growth Opportunities

Moleculin Biotech, Inc., a late-stage pharmaceutical company developing treatments for challenging cancers and viral infections, has appointed Adriano Treve as a Strategic Advisor for partnerships. With over 40 years of experience at Roche, Treve brings deep expertise in global healthcare operations and leadership across multiple regions. His new role is expected to support Moleculin’s efforts in forming strategic alliances, particularly as the company moves forward with important clinical milestones.

Throughout his career at Roche, Treve held key leadership positions across various geographies. He managed supply chains in the U.S. and served in senior management roles in Portugal, Brazil, and Turkey. Most recently, he served as Area Head overseeing operations in Turkey, Russia, Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent. In these roles, he contributed significantly to expanding access to innovative therapies in regions with limited healthcare resources. His experience in international market access and strategic execution is expected to strengthen Moleculin’s partnership strategies and commercial planning.

Treve’s appointment comes at a critical time, as Moleculin advances its pivotal Phase 2B/3 MIRACLE trial for Annamycin (naxtarubicin) in combination with cytarabine for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The ongoing global study, named MIRACLE (Moleculin R/R AML AnnAraC Clinical Evaluation), is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to support regulatory approval. It includes trial sites in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO, stated, “Adriano’s extensive experience will be invaluable as we look to secure partnerships that optimize the value of Annamycin which we believe can potentially impact the global oncology drug market significantly.”

Mr. Treve mentioned, “I am excited to work closely with the Moleculin team to advance crucial solutions for patients with significant unmet medical needs. With the continued global expansion of the Phase 3 MIRACLE trial, positive feedback from investigators and the promising data demonstrated to date, I believe the Company is well positioned for strategic partnership opportunities.”

Mr. Klemp said in a statement, “With the timeline now visible for our Phase 3 data, interest from potential strategic partners has significantly increased. Adding Mr. Treve alongside our Business Advisor Mr. Dennis McNamara, with over 30 years’ experience with strategic transactions for emerging life sciences companies, is a combination that should significantly expand opportunities for Moleculin going into 2026 and is intended to help accelerate the development of key partnerships that could create a significant value inflection for Moleculin shareholders.”

The first unblinding of data, involving 45 patients, is expected in the second half of 2025, followed by a second unblinding anticipated in the first half of 2026. Annamycin, the investigational drug in the study, has received Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA for treating relapsed or refractory AML, as well as for soft tissue sarcoma. The drug also holds Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the same AML indication. Treve’s strategic insight is expected to be particularly valuable as the company approaches these important clinical and regulatory milestones.