hC Bioscience Appoints Heather Hirsch, Ph.D. as SVP of Translational Science and Cancer Biology, Strengthening Leadership Team in Advancing tRNA-Based Therapeutics

Key Takeaways

  • Heather Hirsch, Ph.D. has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Translational Science and Cancer Biology at hC Bioscience, bringing extensive experience and expertise in cancer biology and translational sciences from her previous roles at Merck, Jounce Therapeutics, and, IMV Inc.
  • hC Bioscience is dedicated to advancing tRNA-based therapeutics to target protein dysfunction and revolutionize the treatment of genetically defined conditions, which account for 10-15% of all human diseases.
  • Hirsch Ph.D. appointment reinforces hC Bioscience's commitment to attracting top talent in the industry and driving advancements in precision medicine, positioning the company as a leader in the field.

July 18th, 2023 - Boston, MA - hC Bioscience, a pioneering biotech company dedicated to advancing tRNA-based therapeutics, has appointed Heather Hirsch, Ph.D., as the Senior Vice President of Translational Science and Cancer Biology. Hirsch, Ph.D. who will join a growing team of scientists, brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having served most recently as the Vice President of Clinical Translational Sciences at IMV Inc.

With a commitment to improving the lives of patients through precision protein editing, hC Bioscience is at the forefront of developing first-in-class tRNA-based therapeutics to target protein dysfunction. The company's innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetically defined conditions, which account for 10-15% of all human diseases.

Hirsch's extensive background in cancer biology and translational sciences makes her an invaluable addition to the leadership team at hC Bioscience. In her previous roles at IMV Inc., Jounce and Merck, she played a pivotal role in the development of groundbreaking therapies, demonstrating her ability to drive successful clinical translation from the laboratory to the patient's bedside.

"We welcome Heather to hC Bioscience and look forward to her contributions as we advance our therapies to the clinic," said Leslie Williams, Founder and CEO of hC Bioscience. "Her expertise in cancer biology and translational sciences will be instrumental in advancing our tRNA-based therapeutics, particularly in the field of cancer research. Dr. Hirsch's proven track record of driving clinical translation aligns with our goal to develop effective treatments that are able to target multiple gene mutations implicated in cancer and rare diseases."

"I joined hC Bioscience because of the potential of tRNA-based therapies to treat cancers with an entirely new modality," added Dr. Hirsch. "Since their founding, they've quickly engineered and optimized lead candidates, reported compelling in vivo proof-of-concept data, optimized indication-specific delivery options and continue to build an extensive body of data."

As the newly appointed SVP of Translational Science and Cancer Biology, Hirsch, Ph.D. will lead the company's efforts to bring the first tRNA therapies into the clinic. Through her deep understanding of tumor biology and translation, she will play a crucial role in advancing hC Bioscience's lead platform, targeting tumor suppressor genes with nonsense mutations or premature termination codons (PTCs).


About hC Bioscience
hC Bioscience is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with the development of first-in-class tRNA-based therapeutics to target protein dysfunction. hC Bioscience’s innovative approach to precision protein editing has the potential to treat genetically defined conditions, which account for 10-15% of all human disease. The lead platform in development is directed at restoring protein function in diseases caused by nonsense mutations or premature termination codons (PTCs). A single tRNA therapy has the potential to treat many diseases, regardless of the gene or location of the mutation.

Key Takeaways

  • Heather Hirsch, Ph.D. has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Translational Science and Cancer Biology at hC Bioscience, bringing extensive experience and expertise in cancer biology and translational sciences from her previous roles at Merck, Jounce Therapeutics, and, IMV Inc.
  • hC Bioscience is dedicated to advancing tRNA-based therapeutics to target protein dysfunction and revolutionize the treatment of genetically defined conditions, which account for 10-15% of all human diseases.
  • Hirsch Ph.D. appointment reinforces hC Bioscience's commitment to attracting top talent in the industry and driving advancements in precision medicine, positioning the company as a leader in the field.

Media Gallery

Quotes

"Her expertise in cancer biology and translational sciences will be instrumental in advancing our tRNA-based therapeutics, particularly in the fiel...
Leslie WilliamsFounder and CEO
Since their founding, they've quickly engineered and optimized lead candidates, reported compelling in vivo proof-of-concept data, optimized indica...
Heather Hirsch, PhDSVP Translational Science and Cancer Biology

Related Bios

Leslie Williams
Co-Founder, President & CEO
Leslie J Williams, a 25-year biopharmaceutical industry veteran, is an experienced biotech CEO and board of directors’ member with demonstrated expertise in building companies, raising funds, and negotiating strategic collaborations.

Leslie is founding CEO, President & Director of hC Bioscience, Inc. an innovator and leader in protein editing with tRNA based therapeutics. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL), Windtree Therapeutics (WINT), and CSCRI (Coral Sea Clinical Research Institute). In addition, she serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Life Science Leader, the Advisory Board of Life Science Cares and serves as an EIR at UVA and University of Iowa. Ms. Williams was formerly the founder and CEO of ImmusanT, developing immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases and was CEO at Ventaira Pharmaceuticals developing therapies using the lung as a portal for delivery. Williams prior pharmaceutical experience includes INO Therapeutics, Merck and GSK. She was also a venture partner at Battelle Ventures where she sourced and evaluated deals and assisted early-stage technology companies with strategy, management, business development and M&A.

Williams holds an MBA from Washington University, John Olin School of Business, and a B.S. degree with honors in nursing from the University of Iowa. Before entering the industry, she was a critical-care nurse at Duke University, Medical College of Virginia and at the University of Iowa.
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Heather Hirsch, PhD
SVP Translational Science and Cancer Biology
Heather brings more than 10 years of expertise in translational sciences having worked at Merck, Jounce Therapeutics, CRISPR Therapeutics and most recently IMV Inc. She has a strong background in immune-oncology, tumor microenvironment, and integrative translational analyses designed to inform indication selection, mechanism of action, and responder identification.

Heather also brings strong expertise in computational biology and ‘omics level analyses. Throughout her career, Heather has been involved in many preclinical and clinical stage small molecule, biologics (including Keytruda), cancer vaccines and cell therapy based programs. She has led translational efforts across drug development stages from Target Identification through to phase III trials including driving companion diagnostic development.

Heather holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University and completed post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School with much of her research focus on gene expression regulation in cancer.
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