Ayala hires AbbVie’s Gary Gordon as new CMO

AbbVie’s former Vice President of Oncology has moved to Ayala Pharmaceuticals to work as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). 

Israel-based startup Ayala Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing targeted cancer therapies for people living with genetically defined cancers – it is currently working on the development of its pan-Notch inhibitor AL101, currently in Phase 2 in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).

Dr Gordon has over thirty years of experience in oncology, R&D and clinical and regulatory affairs for both biotechnology and larger biopharmaceutical companies.

During Dr Gordon’s time at AbbVie, he oversaw the development and advancement of nearly 200 clinical studies in approximately 50 countries. Prior to this he worked at Abbott as Divisional Vice President of Global Oncology Development, and before that the Global Project Head for PPD R&D.

He has also been part of Ovation Pharmaceuticals before his arrival at AbbVie, where he spearheaded the acquisition of five drugs from Abbott.

Roni Mamluk, CEO at Ayala, said:  “We are pleased to welcome Dr Gordon to the Ayala executive team as he brings a deep understanding of cancer clinical trial execution, coupled with strong expertise in drug development.”

Mamluk further states that Dr Gordon will be “instrumental” in advancing Ayala’s current and future pipeline.

Dr Gordon himself commented: “With an exciting pipeline and strong scientific rationale in place, I believe that Ayala’s gamma secretase inhibitors, AL101 and AL102, have the potential to offer patients with genetically-defined cancers new treatment options that they desperately need. I look forward to working with the broader team at Ayala as we work to further advance these novel programmes.”