Leen Kawas is the CEO of Athira Pharm

Leen Kawas is the CEO of Athira Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Since joining Athira in 2018, Leen  Kawas has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and advancing its drug development pipeline.

Leen Kawas is a highly accomplished scientist and entrepreneur with a background in neuroscience and biotechnology. She holds a Ph.D. in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and completed her postdoctoral training in neuroscience at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Prior to joining Athira, Kawas served as the CEO and co-founder of M3 Biotechnology, a biotech startup focused on developing novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Under Kawas’ leadership, Athira has made significant progress in its efforts to develop novel therapies for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. In 2020, the company completed a successful IPO, raising $204 million to support its drug development programs. Athira’s lead drug candidate, ATH-1017, is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and has shown promising results in preclinical studies.

Kawas’ success at Athira can be attributed to her strong leadership skills and her ability to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. She has assembled a talented team of scientists, clinicians, and business leaders who share her vision of developing transformative therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Leen Kawas is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the biotech industry. She has spoken publicly about the importance of promoting gender and ethnic diversity in the workplace and has taken concrete steps to ensure that Athira is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

Overall, Leen Kawas’ role as Athira’s CEO has been instrumental in the company’s success and its efforts to develop novel therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Her dedication to innovation, collaboration, and diversity has helped to create a culture that is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the field of neuroscience and beyond.

Leen Kawas is the CEO of Athira Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Since joining Athira in 2018, Leen  Kawas has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and advancing its drug development pipeline. Leen Kawas is a highly accomplished scientist and…