Rivus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company focused on cardiometabolic diseases, has announced a significant leadership transition. The company appointed pharmaceutical veteran Jorge Bartolome as its new Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors. He takes the helm from co-founder Allen Cunningham, who will transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer, continuing to shape the company's operational strategy.
A Veteran Leader for a Pivotal Phase
Mr. Bartolome brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors to his new role at Rivus. His career is distinguished by a strong track record in late-stage clinical development, global commercial launches, and strategic marketing. This background is considered crucial as Rivus prepares to advance its pipeline of oral medicines for MASH, obesity, and related conditions.
Before joining Rivus, Bartolome served as CEO of AreteiaTx, where he guided the company through successful Phase 3 trials for a novel respiratory therapy. His leadership experience also includes serving as President of Janssen Canada, a Johnson & Johnson company, and holding senior roles over two decades at GSK. At GSK, he ultimately managed business units generating $8 billion in annual sales across multiple therapeutic areas.
Strategic Vision for Cardiometabolic Treatments
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for Rivus as it advances two potentially transformative oral therapies. Ian F. Smith, Co-Chair of the Board, stated that Bartolome's deep commercial and development expertise makes him the ideal leader to navigate the significant opportunities in treating MASH and obesity. The company is focused on pioneering treatments that increase energy expenditure while preserving muscle mass for sustained metabolic health.
This leadership change signals a strategic pivot towards late-stage development and eventual commercialization for the biopharmaceutical firm. By bringing in a leader with a proven history of launching successful products, Rivus is positioning itself to capitalize on its clinical progress. The company aims to address the growing unmet patient needs in a market seeing rapid innovation and expansion.
Advancing a Promising Oral Drug Pipeline
In his new role, Mr. Bartolome expressed his honor in leading the team to address the significant patient needs in cardiometabolic diseases. He highlighted the remarkable progress made with the company's lead candidate, HU6, a potential best-in-class oral mitochondrial uncoupler. The drug has already demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile across three Phase 2 trials, meeting its primary endpoints in each study.
The company has outlined a pivotal year ahead, with key milestones planned for its clinical programs in 2026. Rivus is set to advance HU6 in the AMPLIFY Phase 2 trial specifically for MASH, a severe form of fatty liver disease. This trial will be critical in further establishing the drug's efficacy and safety profile in this specific patient population.
In addition to HU6, Rivus is preparing for the first clinical trial of its second asset, RV-8451. This candidate is a differentiated, oral, muscle-preserving GLP-1 agonist designed for the treatment of obesity. The development of this new therapy underscores the company's commitment to building a multi-asset pipeline targeting different mechanisms to improve metabolic health.
The appointment of Jorge Bartolome as CEO marks a new chapter for Rivus Pharmaceuticals, aligning its leadership with its late-stage clinical ambitions. With an experienced commercial leader at the helm and a promising pipeline targeting major metabolic diseases, the company is strategically positioned for future growth. This transition underscores Rivus's commitment to becoming a key player in the next generation of oral treatments for obesity and MASH.