Corvidia Therapeutics Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company, announced yesterday that it has named Dr Preston Klassen, MD, MHS as its new director.

Dr Klassen is presently executive vice president, head of Research and Development at Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq: ARNA). A nephrologist with more than 20 years of experience in global clinical development and regulatory management, Dr Klassen has led the development and approvals of multiple therapeutics in renal, diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. Most recently, Dr Klassen was the president and chief medical officer of Laboratoris Sanifit SL and prior to that was head of Global Development at Orexigen Therapeutics. Previously, Dr Klassen was with Amgen, Inc where he had several roles of increasing responsibility including as its therapeutic head of Nephrology. Prior to joining the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr Klassen was a faculty member in the Division of Nephrology at Duke University Medical Center.

Garidel, chief executive officer of Corvidia Therapeutics, said, 'We are extremely pleased to have Dr Klassen join our board of directors. His expertise in the area of cardio-renal therapeutic development is well-established and we look forward to his partnership with our clinical team during this important time in the development of our lead asset, Ziltivekimab.'