New president of Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery

New president of Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery

Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Eisai Co. Ltd., chose Janna Hutz, Ph.D., as president of the Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery (G2D2). In this role, Dr. Hutz oversees the Cambridge, Mass.-based exploratory research center that integrates cutting-edge strengths in human genetics, data sciences and precision chemistry. G2D2, founded in 2019, focuses on immunodementia: the discovery of novel immunotherapies for dementia, with the goal of expanding Eisai’s pipeline beyond amyloid and tau-specific drugs.

“Dr. Hutz is a tremendous scientist and leader, who has made a sizable impact on Eisai since joining the company,” says Ivan Cheung, president of the Neurology Business Group and chairman of Eisai Inc. “She has been instrumental in leading the progress we continue to make pursuing targets underpinned by human genetics that drive the underlying pathophysiology of dementia. She takes the helm at G2D2 at a historic time in the battle against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. We are confident that under her leadership, our talented team will continue to develop and deliver innovative therapeutic solutions to address the unmet needs of patients.”

Dr. Hutz succeeds Nadeem Sarwar, Ph.D., who is relocating to the United Kingdom to take up the dual role of global head of Genomic Strategies (hhc Ecosystem) and global head of Digital Therapeutics Strategies (Neurology Business Group). Management says these roles will enable Eisai to focus on leveraging the intersection of digital technologies, genomics, and data sciences to identify novel solutions that synergize with pharmacological approaches to better predict, preempt, and prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Since joining Eisai in 2013 as VP and global head of Genetics & Human Biology, Dr. Sarwar has held a number of important executive positions, including director of the Integrated Human Genomics Research Unit and President of AiM, where the institute progressed two assets through Phase I under his leadership. He became the founding president of G2D2 in 2019, and oversaw the establishment of G2D2’s state-of-the-art discovery laboratories in Cambridge, Mass.

“The intersection of genomics, data sciences and digital technologies will be a core driver of scientific innovation at Eisai, as we continue to strive to bring game-changing therapeutic solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives,” Dr. Sarwar says. “As global head of Genomic Strategies and global head of Digital Therapeutics Strategies, I am excited to help Eisai take a leadership position at the forefront of the genomic and digital health revolution.”

Management says since she joined Eisai in 2015, Dr. Hutz has played an integral role in the company’s efforts to identify and validate genetically supported targets for dementia, utilizing human biology and data-science-driven target identification through early experimental validation.

She most recently served as the head of Discovery Data Science at G2D2, where she established and led a task force that provides comprehensive data analysis tailored to all of Eisai’s 21 global Neurology Discovery programs. Dr. Hutz also served as the co-chair for an initiative that seeks to leverage human data to inform the company’s pathophysiology-guided drug discovery approach.

“It’s extremely humbling to be named president of G2D2, and an incredible honor,” Dr. Hutz says. “During my time at Eisai, I have always been supported and encouraged to break through barriers and consider different solutions to difficult challenges. My colleagues at G2D2 are tremendously accomplished and talented, and I look forward to leading them as they focus on using human genetics to deeply understand the biology of what drives dementia. With this focus in mind, we will leverage Eisai’s pioneering chemistry, innovative biology, and cutting-edge technology to create precision therapeutics to treat the underlying cause of disease.”

Before joining Eisai, Dr. Hutz served as an applied human geneticist at Pfizer, where she supported early stage and clinical programs in immune and inflammatory diseases by using human biology to inform target validation, indication selection, and precision medicine approaches for clinical programs.