Kyverna Therapeutics Taps Veteran Exec Mayo Pujols as CTO Amid Commercial Push
Event summary
- Kyverna Therapeutics appoints Mayo Pujols as Chief Technology Officer effective February 9, 2026, succeeding retiring Karen Walker.
- Pujols brings 30 years of technical operations experience, including roles at Novartis, Celgene, and Castle Creek Biosciences.
- Kyverna grants Pujols an option to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock, vesting over four years.
- Pujols will oversee manufacturing operations as Kyverna prepares for potential commercial launch of miv-cel for stiff person syndrome.
The big picture
Kyverna's appointment of Mayo Pujols as CTO underscores its push toward commercialization, leveraging his extensive experience in scaling cell therapy manufacturing. The move comes as the company prepares for a potential miv-cel launch in stiff person syndrome, positioning itself as a leader in autoimmune CAR T-cell therapies. Pujols' background in both large and small biopharmaceutical companies suggests a strategic focus on operational efficiency and regulatory readiness.
What we're watching
- Commercial Readiness
- How Pujols' operational expertise will accelerate Kyverna's transition to a commercial-stage company.
- Manufacturing Scale
- Whether Kyverna can sustain manufacturing capacity for potential miv-cel launch and pipeline expansion.
- Pipeline Execution
- The pace at which Kyverna advances next-generation CAR T-cell therapies beyond stiff person syndrome.