PLYMOUTH, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IDRx, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cancer treatment with purpose-built precision therapies, today announced the appointment of David P. Kerstein, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Kerstein brings to IDRx deep experience in early- and late-stage oncology drug development, including multiple precision oncology medicines. He joins the founding IDRx R&D leadership team of Jessica Christo, Chief Development Operations Officer, and Vivek (Vic) Kadambi, Ph.D., Chief Product Development Officer.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Kerstein join the outstanding IDRx R&D team as we continue to advance our lead program, IDRX-42, with the goal of improving the lives of patients with GIST,” said Tim Clackson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. “His expertise and proven track record in advancing multiple small molecule oncology therapeutics from development to approval will be invaluable as we approach the potential initiation of pivotal studies for IDRX-42 in 2025.”
“This is a unique opportunity to be a part of an exciting company that has the potential to have a meaningful impact on the treatment of GIST patients with IDRX-42, including in early lines of therapy to prevent the emergence of resistance mutations,” said Dr. Kerstein. “IDRx’s progress since its inception is remarkable, and I look forward to working with this exceptional team as we prepare for important upcoming clinical milestones.”
Prior to joining IDRx, Dr. Kerstein served as Chief Medical Officer of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he led the clinical development of the Company’s lead program for GIST. Before Theseus, Dr. Kerstein served as Chief Medical Officer of Anchiano Therapeutics Ltd. Prior to these roles, Dr. Kerstein served as Senior Medical Director in Oncology Clinical Research and Lung Cancer Clinical Portfolio Strategy Lead at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Senior Medical Director of Clinical Research at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Takeda in 2017) where he led the clinical development of ALUNBRIG®. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kerstein served as Director of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at Boston Biomedical, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd.
Dr. Kerstein holds an M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine and received a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University.
About GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma. Approximately 80% of cases arise from gain of function mutations in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, driving the malignancy through constitutive activation of aberrant signaling. Resistance mutations in KIT emerge in ~90% of patients treated with imatinib, the current standard of care for GIST. In unresectable or metastatic GIST, clinical benefits from existing treatments can vary by mutation type.
About IDRx
IDRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cancer care with intelligently designed precision therapies. IDRx aims to address the limitations of today’s precision cancer medicines with highly potent and selective targeted therapies to stop key tumor escape mechanisms and prolong response to therapy. IDRx’s lead program is IDRX-42, designed to inhibit key genetic drivers and drug-resistant mutations of KIT in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). IDRx’s pipeline also includes a second KIT inhibitor, IDRX-73. Founded in 2021, IDRx’s leadership team has extensive experience in drug development and collectively has been involved in the discovery, development, and commercialization of more than 10 approved medicines. To learn more, please visit www.idrx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
