Amy Burroughs took on the role of CEO at Terns Pharmaceuticals during a challenging time for the company. With the recent scrapping of a phase 2 candidate and the unfortunate passing of the former CEO, Senthil Sundaram, Burroughs had big shoes to fill. Sundaram had left the company in good shape with a strong balance sheet and promising assets in the pipeline.
Terns Pharmaceuticals is focusing on two key areas in its drug development pipeline: obesity and oncology. The company reported positive phase 1 data for both areas in 2024 and plans to release more clinical data in 2025. With $373 million in cash on hand, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
In the obesity market, Terns is developing TERN-601, an oral GLP-1 agonist that showed promising phase 1 data. The company aims to provide a more tolerable oral option for weight loss compared to existing injectable GLP-1s. Burroughs emphasized the importance of developing a drug with a better tolerability profile while still delivering clinically meaningful weight loss.
Despite the crowded obesity drug development space, Burroughs believes that there is room for innovation and that a combination obesity candidate like TERN-501 could also make an impact. She stressed the importance of combining great science, a quality product, and a strong clinical development plan to succeed in the market.
In the oncology space, Terns is working on TERN-701, an oral small molecule for chronic myeloid leukemia. The company announced positive early phase 1 data for this drug in December, highlighting its potential to address the unmet needs of patients. Burroughs mentioned that the drug’s safety, tolerability, and convenience could differentiate it from existing treatments in the market.
Overall, Terns Pharmaceuticals under the leadership of Amy Burroughs is poised for success in the obesity and oncology markets. With a focus on innovation, patient needs, and clinical excellence, the company is on track to make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Terns Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company, is making waves in the pharmaceutical industry with its innovative molecules TERN-601 and TERN-701. These molecules have been designed from the ground up to be superior allosteric inhibitors, offering a new approach to treating various diseases.
Dr. Erin Burroughs, the Chief Scientific Officer at Terns, is optimistic about the potential of these molecules. She believes that they have blockbuster potential and could address a large market opportunity. Despite being a smaller biotech company, Terns is well-positioned to commercialize these molecules and make a significant impact in the healthcare industry.
One of the key factors driving Terns’ success is its team of talented scientists who have worked tirelessly to develop these internally discovered assets. Additionally, the team is motivated by the vision of their late CEO, who was passionate about the company and its potential for growth.
Dr. Burroughs is confident that Terns is on the right path and that their late CEO would be proud of the progress they have made. With a strong foundation of scientific expertise and a clear vision for the future, Terns Pharmaceuticals is poised to make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry.
Stay tuned for more updates on Terns Pharmaceuticals and their groundbreaking work in developing innovative molecules for the treatment of various diseases.
