NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, today announced the appointment of Dale Hooks as Chief Commercial Officer, replacing Adam Hansard, effective immediately. Mr. Hooks joins Applied with over 30 years of biopharmaceutical experience in rare disease marketing and sales, holding various leadership roles. Mr. Hooks will be responsible for leading Applied’s commercial preparations for the potential launch of govorestat for the treatment of Classic Galactosemia and SORD.
“I am pleased to welcome Dale to Applied, particularly at this critical stage in the company’s lifecycle as we approach the govorestat potential approval and launch,” said Shoshana Shendelman, PhD, Founder and CEO of Applied Therapeutics. “As we move towards becoming a commercial stage organization, we are committed to building out a strong and credentialed leadership team with experience launching rare disease therapies. I believe that Dale’s breadth of experience in commercial leadership roles and proven track record with product launches will be invaluable in bringing Applied from a development company to a commercial organization.”
Mr. Hooks has overseen over 20 new product launches in his career with over 30 years of industry experience. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Global Commercial Operations at Reata Pharmaceuticals, from 2019 until its acquisition by Biogen in 2023, where he led the launch of Skyclarys®, developing US and ex-US sales and commercialization strategies and overseeing early access programs. Previously, Mr. Hooks served in several commercial roles of increasing responsibility at Genentech, most recently as Franchise Head, Oncology. During his tenure at Genentech, he launched several new products and built multiple commercial franchises up to support new approvals. Mr. Hooks has also held leadership and commercial roles at Galderma Laboratories, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and Glaxo Wellcome, now part of GSK. Mr. Hooks received a BBA from Stephen F. Austin University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I am excited to join Applied Therapeutics as the company nears significant and transformative milestones,” said Mr. Hooks. “Govorestat has the potential to become the first and only treatment option for patients living with debilitating rare diseases. With registrational filings under review in the US and in Europe, this is a critical year for the company. Applied’s progress to date has been impressive and I look forward to working with the team to further its momentum with a primary focus on bringing govorestat to patients.”
About Applied Therapeutics
Applied Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need. The Company’s lead drug candidate, govorestat, is a novel central nervous system penetrant Aldose Reductase Inhibitor (ARI) for the treatment of CNS rare metabolic diseases, including Galactosemia, SORD Deficiency, and PMM2-CDG. The Company is also developing AT-001, a novel potent ARI, for the treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy, or DbCM, a fatal fibrosis of the heart. The preclinical pipeline also includes AT-003, an ARI designed to cross through the back of the eye when dosed orally, for the treatment of Diabetic retinopathy.
To learn more, please visit www.appliedtherapeutics.com and follow the company on Twitter @Applied_Tx.
