TORL BioTherapeutics Appoints Aran Maree, M.D., As New Chief Medical Officer

TORL BioTherapeutics, LLC, a biotech company focused on developing new antibody treatments for cancer, has appointed Dr. Aran Maree as its Chief Medical Officer. The company also announced the start of CATALINA-2, a global Phase 2 study of its experimental drug, TORL-1-23, targeting Claudin 6 (CLDN6) in patients with CLDN6-positive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Mark J. Alles, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TORL Biotherapeutics, said in a statement, "2024 has been a transformational year for TORL, as the first Phase 2 study with our Claudin 6 targeted antibody-drug conjugate TORL-1-23 is underway and we continue to advance multiple antibody-based clinical programs. Aran Maree is among the most accomplished and experienced physician-leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry, and TORL will significantly benefit from his long track record of improving patient outcomes in multiple disease categories and creating corporate value.”

Dr. Aran Maree most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer for Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Medicines division, previously known as Janssen. In this role, he led a team focused on advancing clinical and scientific research, overseeing patient safety, and managing the paediatric portfolio. He also co-chaired the company's R&D Development Committee, which reviewed clinical programs in areas like oncology, immunology, neurology, cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases. Dr. Maree played a key role in the development and safety oversight of several major J&J products.

Dr. Maree joined J&J in 2006, taking on increasing responsibilities in medical roles across Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, and Japan, particularly within J&J's MedTech division. He helped establish medical affairs, regulatory, and quality functions. In 2012, he became the global Chief Medical Officer for J&J MedTech, focusing on patient safety, clinical data transparency, and the integration of biology and technology. In 2017, he transitioned to Chief Medical Officer for J&J's pharmaceutical division.

Before joining J&J, Dr. Maree worked at The Boston Consulting Group and Merck & Co. (MSD) in Australia and New Zealand. He earned his medical degree with honours from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland/National University of Ireland. Dr. Maree trained as a physician in Dublin, where he received his Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI), and specialised in interventional cardiology, training in both Dublin and Sydney, Australia.

Aran Maree, MD, Chief Medical Officer, mentioned, "The promise of TORL-1-23 and the company's growing pipeline of new target programs represent an incredible opportunity to transform clinical practice in oncology. I am thrilled to be joining the TORL team at such an important time and look forward to establishing and scaling a global medical organisation to support the needs of the portfolio and the patients we seek to serve."

Dennis Slamon, Scientific Co-founder and Board Member, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, and Chief of the Division of Haematology/Oncology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, also stated, "Given our progress in discovering and developing antibody-based immunotherapies for a large number of cancer patients, this is the right time for TORL to bring in the company's first Chief Medical Officer. Aran's capability and expertise leading global medical functions and conducting early- to late-stage clinical trials will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on TORL's ability to bring new compounds to patients as quickly as possible.”

In November, TORL launched CATALINA-2, a global Phase 2 study to evaluate TORL-1-23 in women with CLDN6-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) who have had one to three prior treatments. The study aims to support faster approval of TORL-1-23 for this condition. The initiation of CATALINA-2 was backed by Phase 1 data presented at the 2024 European Society of Medical Oncology Congress, which showed that TORL-1-23 resulted in significant, lasting responses with a manageable safety profile in patients with CLDN6+ PROC. Ongoing Phase 1 trials are also testing TORL-1-23 in non-small cell lung cancer and other CLDN6+ cancers.

So far, TORL has raised over $350M from top global biotechnology investors. Besides targeting CLDN6, the company's pipeline also includes programs focused on Claudin 18.2, Cadherin-17, Delta-like Non-canonical Notch Ligand 1 (DLK1), and other undisclosed targets for treating both solid tumours and blood cancers.

“Since TORL's founding, we've been focused on advancing our portfolio of antibody-based targeted therapies in indications with serious unmet medical need. Initiating our first registrational study and strengthening our leadership team are critical value-creating milestones as we enter our next phase as a company. Aran's outstanding multi-decade career and experience will have a significant strategic and operational impact on TORL," commented Dave Licata, co-founder, board member, president, and chief financial officer.