Former Novartis neuroscience boss joins gene editing company

Beam Therapeutics (Nasdaq: BEAM), a US biotech developing precision genetic medicines through base editing, has named Gopi Shanker its chief scientific officer (CSO).

Dr Shanker’s background includes experience across all stages of drug development as well as multiple drug modalities, including small molecules, biologics and gene therapies for both common and rare disorders.

"The gene editing field has been of great interest to me for many years"He joins Beam from Tevard Biosciences, where he also served as CSO. Prior to that, he spent eight years at the Novartis (NOVN: VX) Institutes for Biomedical Research, where he most recently served as head of neuroscience. In this role, he was responsible for strategic oversight of the entire neuroscience portfolio, which included developing a portfolio of gene therapy programs targeting neurodevelopmental disorders.