Dr. Read brings >30 years of leadership and scientific expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry
Previously served as CEO and Founder of Mariana Oncology until its acquisition by Novartis in 2024 and CSO of Ra Pharma until its acquisition by UCB in 2020
NEW YORK and WALTHAM, Mass., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNTH), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune diseases, today announced the appointment of Simon Read, Ph.D., to the Company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Read is a serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical experience. Dianthus also announced that Lonnie Moulder will transition from the Board of Directors.
“I am pleased to welcome Simon to the Dianthus Board of Directors. His wealth of experience leading biopharmaceutical companies and R&D organizations will be invaluable as Dianthus continues to advance its mid- and late-stage clinical programs,” said Alison Lawton, Chair of the Dianthus Therapeutics Board of Directors. “I would also like to thank Lonnie for his dedicated service to the Board. His perspective and support were instrumental during a period when Dianthus quickly grew from a private, preclinical stage company to a publicly traded company now with three ongoing clinical trials.”
“I have been extremely impressed with the Dianthus team’s ability to advance a potential best-in-class complement inhibitor with significant potential since our initial seed investment in 2019,” said Lonnie Moulder, Managing Member, Tellus BioVentures LLC and Founder, Chairman and CEO, Zenas BioPharma. “I wish continued success to Dianthus as I transition from the Board and remain confident in the team’s ability to transform the lives of patients living with severe autoimmune diseases.”
Dr. Read most recently served as CEO and founder of Mariana Oncology until its acquisition by Novartis and was Chief Scientific Officer at Ra Pharma until its acquisition by UCB Pharma. Prior to this, he held R&D leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Roche/Genentech and worked on the clinical development of some of the most well-known drugs in the immunology area, including Rituxan® and Actemra®. Dr. Read is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK) and Chairman of the Board of Ethyreal Bio. He previously served on the Board of Triana Biomedicines and Oxstem Ltd (UK). He obtained his Ph.D. from University of Hertfordshire, studied Physiology at the University of Manchester in the UK, and has authored over 50 articles in peer reviewed journals.
“The Dianthus team has done an excellent job executing rapidly on its three clinical programs with DNTH103,” said Dr. Read. “This is an exciting time for the Company with Phase 2 MaGic results anticipated in September. I look forward to partnering with this exceptional team and Board of Directors as I see tremendous potential for DNTH103 as a best-in-class, differentiated therapy option for patients with severe neuromuscular conditions.”
About Dianthus Therapeutics
Dianthus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering novel, best-in-class monoclonal antibodies with improved selectivity and potency. Based in New York City and Waltham, Mass., Dianthus is comprised of an experienced team of biotech and pharma executives who are leading the development of next-generation antibody complement therapeutics, aiming to deliver transformative medicines for people living with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
To learn more, please visit www.dianthustx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, express or implied statements regarding future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the expectations or plans for discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials and research and development programs, in particular with respect to DNTH103, and any developments or results in connection therewith, including the target product profile and administration of DNTH103; the anticipated timing of the initiation and results from those studies and trials; expectations regarding the time period over which the Company’s capital resources are expected to be sufficient to fund its anticipated operations; and expectations regarding the market and potential opportunities for complement therapies, in particular with respect to DNTH103. The words “opportunity,” “potential,” “milestones,” “runway,” “will,” “anticipate,” “achieve,” “near-term,” “catalysts,” “pursue,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” “aim,” “target,” “commit,” and similar expressions (including the negatives of these terms or variations of them) generally identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward looking.
Actual results could differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, that preclinical testing of DNTH103 and data from clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials, that the development of DNTH103 or the Company’s other compounds may take longer and/or cost more than planned, that the Company may be unable to successfully complete the clinical development of the Company’s compounds, that the Company may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing its planned clinical trials, and that the Company’s compounds may not receive regulatory approval or become commercially successful products. These and other risks and uncertainties are identified under the heading “Risk Factors” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024, and other filings that the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved.
The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Dianthus undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact
Jennifer Davis Ruff
Dianthus Therapeutics
[email protected]
