Thursday, 10 September 2026 05:40 PM
Management Changes
Seasoned oncology physician-scientist and biopharmaceutical executive will continue to serve as Chief Medical Officer
Leadership appointment reinforces Therabene's commitment to advancing its targeted protein degradation platform and lead CDK9 degrader, TB-008
NORWOOD, MA / ACCESS Newswire / September 10, 2026 / Therabene, Inc., a biotechnology company developing next-generation inhibitors and targeted protein degraders for difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced the appointment of Oscar L. Kashala, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., as President of Therabene and a member of its Board of Directors, effective September 4, 2026. Dr. Kashala will continue to serve as the Company's Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Kashala joined Therabene in August 2025 and has played a central role in shaping the Company's medical, translational and clinical development strategy and advancing its oncology pipeline. As President, he will assume broader responsibility for integrating Therabene's R&D, clinical development, regulatory, business development and operational priorities as the Company advances its lead program, TB-008, toward clinical development.
"Oscar's appointment as President reflects our confidence in his leadership, scientific judgment and ability to translate innovative science into medicines with meaningful potential for patients," said Mario DiPaola, Ph.D., M.B.A., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Therabene. "He brings deep experience across translational oncology and the full continuum of drug development, from early research and clinical development through regulatory approval and commercialization. His expanded leadership role also underscores our commitment to Therabene's R&D strategy, our targeted protein degradation platform and, in particular, TB-008. We believe TB-008 has the potential to become a highly differentiated CDK9 degrader for transcriptionally addicted cancers, including malignancies for which patients continue to face limited therapeutic options. Oscar is the right leader to help guide Therabene through this important next stage of development and growth."
"After more than a year serving as Therabene's Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Clinical Development, I am honored to take on the additional responsibility of President and to join the Board of Directors," said Dr. Kashala. "I believe Therabene has a compelling opportunity to transform differentiated protein degradation science into important new medicines. Our platform, together with the potential of TB-008 as a next-generation CDK9 degrader, gives us an opportunity to address some of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat transcriptionally addicted cancers."
Dr. Kashala continued, "This is a pivotal stage for Therabene. My priorities will be to bring disciplined scientific and development leadership to our programs, advance TB-008 toward the clinic, strengthen the capabilities and partnerships required for successful development, and build a foundation that can ultimately support regulatory approval and commercialization. I look forward to working closely with Mario, our Board, our scientific leadership, our collaborators and the entire Therabene team to realize the full potential of our pipeline for patients."
Dr. Kashala brings more than 30 years of experience across oncology research, translational medicine, clinical development and global biopharmaceutical R&D. His career has encompassed academia, clinical medicine, government and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with experience spanning drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory strategy, approval and commercialization. Therabene's 2025 announcement similarly highlighted his experience across oncology research, translational medicine and global biopharmaceutical development.
About TB-008
TB-008 is Therabene's lead targeted protein degrader designed to selectively degrade cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a key regulator of transcriptional programs that support the survival and proliferation of many aggressive cancers. Therabene is developing TB-008 for transcriptionally addicted malignancies in which CDK9-dependent pathways may represent an important therapeutic vulnerability. By degrading the CDK9 protein rather than relying solely on conventional occupancy-based inhibition, Therabene believes TB-008 has the potential to provide a differentiated therapeutic approach for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
About Therabene, Inc.
Therabene, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering the design and development of inhibitors and next-generation targeted protein degradation therapies for cancer. The Company is developing a differentiated platform designed to selectively eliminate disease-driving proteins and address targets that may be difficult to treat effectively with conventional therapeutic approaches. Therabene's lead program, TB-008, is a selective CDK9 degrader being developed for transcriptionally addicted cancers with significant unmet medical need.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Therabene's development programs, the potential characteristics and therapeutic benefits of TB-008, the advancement of TB-008 toward clinical development, future regulatory activities, strategic partnerships and the Company's growth and commercialization objectives. These statements are based on Therabene's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in drug research and development. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. There can be no assurance that TB-008 or any other Therabene product candidate will successfully complete preclinical or clinical development, obtain regulatory approval or achieve commercialization. Therabene undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
Media and Business Development Contact
Therabene, Inc.
320 Norwood Park South, Suite 202
Norwood, MA 02062
www.therabene.com
SOURCE: Therabene Inc.