Enhanced Genomics Taps Drug Dev Heavyweight for Board in Pipeline Push

CAMBRIDGE, England – January 09, 2026 – Enhanced Genomics, a Cambridge-based biotech pioneering 3D genomics to uncover new drug targets, has appointed seasoned pharmaceutical executive Dr. Katerina Leftheris to its Board of Directors. The move signals a strategic shift for the company, leveraging its advanced technology platform to build an internal pipeline of precision therapies.

A Veteran Scientist for a New Frontier

Dr. Leftheris brings over three decades of formidable experience in drug discovery and development, a career marked by leadership roles at industry giants like Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, and Pliant Therapeutics. Her track record is substantial, having spearheaded programs that successfully advanced 15 different compounds into clinical development—a key metric of success in the high-stakes world of pharmaceuticals.

Her expertise is not just historical; she most recently served as Chief Scientific Officer at Vilya, a company using machine learning for drug development, and maintains a strong presence in the scientific community as the 2026 Vice Chair for the Medicinal Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society. This blend of big pharma discipline, biotech agility, and academic rigor makes her a critical asset for a company like Enhanced Genomics, which sits at the intersection of complex biology and computational science.

The appointment is a clear indicator of the company's ambition. While many platform-based biotechs focus on service partnerships, Enhanced Genomics is now aggressively moving to develop its own therapeutic assets. Dr. Leftheris's deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry and navigating the complex path from a biological target to a clinical candidate is precisely the expertise needed to turn genomic data into life-changing medicines.

“I am thrilled to welcome Katerina as the newest member of our Board,” said Dietrich A. Stephan, Ph.D., Executive Chair of Enhanced Genomics. “Her exceptional expertise in therapeutics discovery and clinical drug development will be an invaluable asset as we progress our ambitious plans to drive the next era of precision therapeutics development.”

Beyond the Gene: Decoding Disease in 3D

At the heart of Enhanced Genomics' strategy is its proprietary GenLink™ platform, a technology that moves beyond the linear, one-dimensional view of DNA. The platform is built on patented Promoter Capture Hi-C technology, which allows scientists to map the complex, three-dimensional folding of the genome.

This 3D architecture is crucial because approximately 95% of genetic variants associated with common diseases are located in non-coding regions of DNA. For decades, these regions were dismissed as "junk DNA," but scientists now understand they act as remote-control switches, regulating which genes are turned on or off. By physically looping through 3D space, a regulatory element can influence a gene far away on the linear DNA strand.

Traditional genomic methods often struggle to connect these disease-associated variants to the specific genes they control. GenLink™ is designed to solve this problem by creating a high-resolution, genome-wide map of these physical interactions. By integrating this 3D genomic data with other "omics" datasets (like transcriptomics and proteomics), the platform can identify the causal link between a genetic variant and its target gene within specific cell types relevant to a disease.

The company claims this "hypothesis-free" approach provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of disease biology, enabling the identification of high-confidence, first-in-class drug targets. This is significant because genetically validated drug targets are reported to have double the probability of success in clinical trials, potentially saving billions of dollars and years of failed research.

From Platform to Pipeline, Fueled by New Capital

The appointment of Dr. Leftheris is timed perfectly with the company's recent financial and strategic advancements. In September 2025, Enhanced Genomics extended its Series A financing to a total of $19 million, with backing from investors including BGF, Parkwalk, and Meltwind. The company explicitly stated that this capital would be used to expand its internal therapeutics pipeline, with an initial focus on autoimmune conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

This move from a pure technology platform to a pipeline-driven company is a well-trodden but challenging path in biotech. It requires a different set of skills, and Dr. Leftheris is the embodiment of that transition. Her role will be to guide the executive team in prioritizing the novel targets emerging from the GenLink™ platform and building the discovery programs around them.

“Building on decades of genomics research, Enhanced’s 3D multi-omics platform has the potential to define causal biology, enabling the identification of high-confidence, first-in-class therapeutic targets, to drive the development of truly disease-modifying therapies,” Dr. Leftheris commented on her appointment. “I look forward to supporting the executive team to advance the development of the Company’s pipeline of effective precision therapies for genetically complex diseases.”

The company, which was spun out from the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, based on the pioneering work of Dr. Stefan Schoenfelder and Professor Peter Fraser, is now translating its foundational academic science into a commercial drug development engine.

Tackling Complex Diseases with Precision

The ultimate goal for Enhanced Genomics is to address the vast unmet need in common but genetically complex diseases. Conditions like autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative illnesses are influenced by a multitude of genetic and environmental factors, making them notoriously difficult to treat effectively.

The global precision medicine market, valued at nearly $80 billion in 2023, is projected to more than double within the decade, driven by the demand for more personalized and effective treatments. However, the field faces significant hurdles, including the high cost of development and the complexity of translating massive datasets into clinically actionable insights.

By focusing on identifying genetically validated targets before initiating costly drug discovery programs, Enhanced Genomics aims to de-risk the development process. Its technology promises to deliver a higher quality of starting points for new medicines, which could lead to therapies that are not just symptomatic treatments but are truly disease-modifying. With a powerful 3D genomics platform, fresh capital, and now a seasoned drug hunter on its board, the company is making a compelling case that it is ready to take on this challenge.