Aviceda Appoints Dr. Jeffrey Nau as New CEO to Lead Therapeutic Innovations
Company - People | Apr 01, 2025 | Digitalis Ventures LLC
Aviceda Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biotech company, has announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Nau, a seasoned biopharma executive, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Nau brings over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, having previously held leadership positions at Kalaris Therapeutics, Oyster Point Pharma, Genentech, and Ophthotech. As a significant leader in the industry, Dr. Nau successfully led Oyster Point Pharma through an IPO, extensive funding rounds, and an acquisition by Viatris. His deep-rooted expertise in ophthalmology positions him as an ideal fit for Aviceda, which is developing advanced therapies for eye diseases such as geographic atrophy. Aviceda utilizes its proprietary High Affinity Ligands of Siglecs (HALOS) nanotechnology platform to address chronic inflammation and advance their portfolio, including AVD-104, a leading candidate for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. The company aims to leverage its recent $207.5 million Series C financing to progress AVD-104 into pivotal clinical trials.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare
Geography
- United States – The article is centered on Aviceda Therapeutics, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, and its operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as the involvement of U.S. industry professionals and potential clinical trials.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The article discusses Aviceda Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing immunomodulators, highlighting its latest executive appointment to steer its innovative therapies aimed at chronic inflammation and age-related macular degeneration.
- Pharmaceuticals – References to Dr. Nau's extensive experience with pharmaceutical companies like Genentech, as well as Aviceda's focus on developing drug candidates for serious diseases, emphasizes the pharmaceutical industry's role in this context.
- Healthcare – The focus on advanced therapies to treat conditions like geographic atrophy and the clinical-stage developments in immunology and ophthalmology relate broadly to the healthcare industry.
Financials
- $207.5 million – Aviceda's Series C financing round intended to support clinical trials and development of its pipeline.
- $300 million – Funding secured by Dr. Nau during his tenure at Oyster Point Pharma.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviceda Therapeutics | Target Company | Companies | A private, clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing next-generation immunomodulators. |
| Dr. Jeffrey Nau | New CEO | People | Recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Aviceda Therapeutics with extensive experience in the biopharma sector. |
| Digitalis Ventures LLC | Private Equity Firm | Companies | PE firm associated with investment or ownership in Aviceda. |
| Omega Funds | Series C Round Co-lead | Companies | Participated as a co-lead in Aviceda's $207.5 million Series C financing. |
| TCGX | Series C Round Co-lead | Companies | Participated as a co-lead in Aviceda's $207.5 million Series C financing. |
| David Guyer, M.D. | Board Chair of Aviceda | People | Provides commentary on Dr. Jeffrey Nau’s appointment and Aviceda's strategic direction. |