Juvena Therapeutics Names Julie Anne Smith CEO

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Juvena Therapeutics, a California-based biotechnology company, appointed Julie Anne Smith as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Smith also joins as a member of Juvena’s Board of Directors.

Smith was most recently CEO of Nuvig Therapeutics, and was previously President and CEO of Escape Bio. She is also currently on the boards of directors of Stoke Therapeutics and Exelixis. Smith’s expertise extends to rare disease, neuromuscular, and autoimmune therapeutics.

Earlier in Smith’s career, she served as President and CEO of Raptor Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Horizon Pharmaceuticals in 2016. Her two decades-plus of leadership experience also includes Enobia Pharma, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Genyzme, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Smith Hired at Pivotal Moment

Smith’s appointment comes as Juvena is enrolling for a Phase IIa atrophy study for its first-in-class biologic, JUV-161. The U.S. FDA granted JUV-161 Orphan Drug status for myotonic dystrophy.

JUV-161 was discovered through Juvena’s proprietary AI-enabled platform, JuvNET, which maps therapeutic potential for stem cell-secreted proteins. Juvena is advancing this platform in additional muscle and metabolic health programs in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company.

Juvena Looks to Future

In comments following her appointment, Smith emphasized the excitement of Juvena already having this asset in the clinic.

“Juvena has built something rare: a discovery platform at the intersection of biology, AI, and clinical translation,” Smith said. “I’ve spent my career on therapies that change the trajectory of disease for people with few or no options. JUV-161 can do that for people living with progressive muscle disease.”

Stephen Juelsgaard, DVM, JD, Independent Director of Juvena Therapeutics, said Smith has led other clinical-stage companies through pivotal decisions.

“[She has] built teams that attract top talent and partners, and kept the focus on the patients,” Juelsgaard said. “With Phase I completed and our Lilly collaboration adding momentum, this is the right moment [for] Julie’s caliber of leadership.”