Purespring Therapeutics Appoints Haseeb Ahmad as CEO, Steering Innovative Kidney Disease Programmes
Portfolio - People | Mar 12, 2025 | Syncona
Purespring Therapeutics, a London-based leader in gene therapy for kidney diseases, appoints Haseeb Ahmad as the new CEO. With over 25 years in life sciences, Ahmad previously led Novartis Europe, overseeing significant revenue and breakthrough therapies. His appointment comes on the heels of Purespring's successful $105 million Series B funding, aiming to propel gene therapy advancements addressing kidney disease. The company is known for its proprietary AAV gene therapy platform targeting podocytes, addressing conditions like IgA Nephropathy. Syncona, a key investor, supports Purespring's innovative pipeline and new partnerships under Ahmad's leadership. The company expresses gratitude to outgoing CEO Julian Hanak for steering foundational growth and securing financial stability.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Private Equity
Geography
- United Kingdom – Purespring Therapeutics is based in London, making the UK a central geography for this article.
- United States – The mention of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week congress in San Diego connects the article to developments in the US.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The article revolves around Purespring Therapeutics, a company engaged in biotechnology through the development of gene therapies for kidney diseases.
- Pharmaceuticals – Purespring's focus on developing treatments and potentially curative therapies aligns with the pharmaceutical industry's aim to address unmet medical needs.
- Private Equity – Syncona and other investment firms involved in Purespring's Series B funding highlight the private equity sector's role in financing biotech innovations.
Financials
- $105 million – The amount raised by Purespring Therapeutics in their Series B financing round.
- £115M – Total raised by Purespring to date, including previous funding rounds.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purespring Therapeutics | Target company | Company | A company focused on developing gene therapies for kidney diseases. |
| Haseeb Ahmad | Chief Executive Officer | Person | The newly appointed CEO of Purespring Therapeutics with a strong background in life sciences leadership. |
| Syncona | Founding investor | Company | A leading investor in Purespring Therapeutics, part of the Series B funding. |
| Sofinnova Partners | Investor | Company | Led the Series B financing round for Purespring Therapeutics. |
| Gilde Healthcare | Investor | Company | Participated in the Series B funding for Purespring Therapeutics. |
| Forbion | Investor | Company | Part of the investment syndicate in Purespring's Series B round. |
| British Patient Capital | Investor | Company | Involved in the $105 million Series B funding round for Purespring. |
| Julian Hanak | Former Chief Executive Officer | Person | Outgoing CEO of Purespring Therapeutics who led the company through significant developments. |
| John Tsai | Chairman of the Board of Directors | Person | Chairman of Purespring's Board of Directors, commented on the leadership transition. |