Acumen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, has appointed James Doherty, Ph.D., as President and Chief Development Officer, effective February 1, 2024, reporting to Daniel O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer.
 
Doherty’s responsibilities will include oversight of clinical and non-clinical development, chemistry, manufacturing & controls and regulatory functions.
 
“We are extremely excited to welcome Jim, who brings extensive experience and demonstrated leadership abilities in CNS drug development to Acumen,” O’Connell said. “I look forward to collaborating with him as we prepare to initiate our ALTITUDE-AD study advancing ACU193 as a potential best-in-class treatment for people living with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Experience

Doherty brings decades of neuroscience-focused research and clinical development expertise to Acumen, from discovery through drug approval. Prior to joining Acumen, Doherty served as Chief Development Officer at Sage Therapeutics, where the team achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals of two treatments for postpartum depression. Previously, he served as Director and Head of the Neuroscience Department for the Central Nervous System and Pain Innovative Medicines Unit of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in Sodertalje, Sweden, where he led the company’s research pipeline for Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration. Prior to that, he served as Director and Head of the Neuroscience Department at AstraZeneca in Wilmington, Delaware.
 
“I am impressed with what Acumen has accomplished thus far with ACU193 through research and development and clinical execution, including a robust Phase 1 clinical data package with intriguing biomarker data,” Doherty said. “I look forward to joining this fantastic team at a pivotal moment as we work to bring this unique and differentiated therapeutic option to patients living with this devastating disease.”
 
Doherty holds a Ph.D. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from the University of Delaware.