(DURHAM, NC) – Lamassu Pets, the veterinary division of Lamassu Biotech, has announced the appointment of veteran animal health industry executive Michael Kelly to its Advisory Board. Widely respected in the animal health pharmaceutical sector, Kelly brings more than 20 years of experience in companion animal therapeutics, including leadership roles at Novartis Animal Health and Piedmont Animal Health.
Kelly will provide strategic guidance as Lamassu Pets advances its pipeline of veterinary therapeutics, including RABI-767, a novel treatment targeting canine acute pancreatitis currently undergoing clinical trials at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office.
“Michael Kelly’s track record of bringing new products and transformative therapies to the veterinary market is exceptional,” said Dr. Gabi Hanna, co-founder and CEO of Lamassu Biotech. “He understands the science, the regulatory landscape, and the needs of veterinarians and pet owners. We are proud to have him guiding Lamassu Pets at this critical stage of growth.”
Kelly’s leadership helped Piedmont Animal Health achieve multiple FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) approvals. Piedmont’s robust pipeline generated more FDA Companion Animal approvals than any other company over the 2013 to 2021 timeframe. Eventually Piedmont’s pipeline was acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals for $210 million in 2022, in a move that expanded its footprint in proprietary companion animal therapeutics.
“I’m excited to join Lamassu Pets at a time when innovation in veterinary medicine is urgently needed,” said Kelly. “Their science behind RABI-767 is strong and it has significant potential to help canines suffering from a disease that’s currently fatal. Lamassu’s mission is clear, and their commitment to addressing unmet clinical needs is exactly what the veterinary pharmaceutical industry needs.”
Earlier this month, the company announced that it had received a $2.7 million “One Health” grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support its efforts to advance the development of RABI-767 as a treatment for spontaneous canine acute pancreatitis (CAP), a disease with no FDA-approved treatment options.
Lamassu Pets is currently collaborating with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, for clinical trials of RABI-767 as a treatment for CAP. The research aims to improve survival outcomes and reduce complications in affected animals.
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About Lamassu Biotech
Lamassu Biotech is a private clinical stage, pioneering pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for severe and unmet medical needs. Leading assets include SA53 a molecular targeted MDM-2 inhibitor that target P53 wild type currently cancers at Phase 1/ 2, and RABI-767 a lipase inhibitor at Phase 2 clinical trial. With decades of experience, Lamassu specializes in advancing transformational treatments from concept to bedside with efficiency and precision. Lamassu partners and collaborates with top-flight institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and NIH leveraging the best intellectual capital to accelerate the application of treatments that bring hope and healing. Learn more at LamassuBioTech.com.