A Northern Kentucky company that ranks as one of the region’s best-funded startups has added a new role to its C-suite.
Covington-based Bexion Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharma company that’s developing targeted cancer therapies, this week named Dr. Tariq Arshad, an oncologist, its new chief medical officer. The role is a first for Bexion.
Arshad has more than 25 years of experience at early and late-stage biopharma companies and is versed in strategic planning, clinical development and commercialization, Bexion said. Most recently, he served as chief medical officer and head of research and development at Carlsbad, Calif.-based Qualigen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage therapeutics company developing treatments for adult and pediatric cancer.
Scott Shively, Bexion's CEO, said the hire comes as the startup moves forward with two clinical programs: Its lead drug candidate, BXQ-350, aims to reduce the intensity and/or duration of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN, a common side effect of many forms of chemotherapy treatment. BXQ-350 is also a potential combination therapy for newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer, or mCRC. Colorectal cancer is considered the second-leading cause of death among cancers; only 15% of mCRC patients live past the five-year mark of their diagnosis.
“We are eager to leverage his extensive skill set and welcome him on board," Shively said in a news release.
At Qualigen Therapeutics, Bexion said Arshad played a crucial role in meeting significant milestones and advancing the company's lead asset QN-302, a treatment for solid tumors.
Additionally, Arshad previously served as head of medical affairs for immunology at mega drugmaker Sanofi, and he served as chief medical officer and head of clinical research at Humanigen, a New Jersey-based biotech firm that’s developing novel immune-oncology therapies.
Arshad actively participates in professional societies such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association of Cancer Research and Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, among others.
“This is a very exciting time to join Bexion with the evaluation of BXQ-350," Arshad said in the release. "I am eager to drive the clinical programs forward and develop a potential first-in-class product that could help the vast number of patients currently lacking effective treatments."
Bexion Pharmaceuticals has raised more than $79 million in venture funding since its launch in 2006, ranking it 11th on a list of the best-funded startups in the region.
Most recently, in late 2022, the company celebrated a key milestone when it dosed its first patient in a clinical trial. The study is being managed by fellow Covington firm CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting.
At last count, the company had 24 full-time employees.
