Zymeworks names Dr. Schayowitz acting chief development officer

Zymeworks Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYME) appointed Dr. Adam Schayowitz as acting chief development officer, the clinical-stage biotechnology company announced.

Dr. Schayowitz will report directly to CEO Kenneth Galbraith and work with the company's research and development and business development teams to advance its portfolio of product candidates. The role is part-time, allowing Dr. Schayowitz to continue serving as an operating partner at EcoR1 Capital, LLC, a biotech-focused investment advisory firm.

The appointment comes as Zymeworks advances multiple therapeutic candidates, including recent investigational new drug clearance for ZW251 and expanded global approvals of zanidatamab. The company develops biotherapeutics for cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Schayowitz brings nearly 20 years of oncology drug development experience to the position. He previously served as a vice president at Pfizer Oncology, holding various development leadership roles across multiple cancer types and ultimately serving as head of product development teams. Prior to Pfizer, he led the development of Zejula (niraparib) at Tesaro and was part of the medical affairs leadership team at Algeta supporting the commercialization of Xofigo (Radium-223).

He currently serves as a board member at Terremoto Biosciences and as a board observer for Aktis Oncology. Dr. Schayowitz holds a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins.

Zanidatamab, Zymeworks' HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, has received accelerated approval from the U.S. FDA, conditional approval from China's NMPA, and conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission for treating adults with previously treated, unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive biliary tract cancer.

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