Aura Biosciences names Natalie Holles CEO as phase 3 trial nears completion

Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA) appointed Natalie Holles as chief executive officer and president, effective April 30, replacing founder Elisabet de los Pinos who stepped down from her leadership roles.

The Boston-based biotechnology company also reported that its Phase 3 CoMpass trial for belzupacap sarotalocan in early choroidal melanoma has enrolled 86 patients, with more than 25 additional patients scheduled for screening through May. The company maintains its guidance for enrollment completion by mid-2026 and topline data in the second half of 2027.

Holles brings over 25 years of executive experience across corporate strategy, business development and commercialization. She previously served as CEO of Third Harmonic Bio from August 2021 through December 2025 and led Audentes Therapeutics as president and CEO before its acquisition by Astellas Pharma in 2020. She holds degrees from Stanford University and the University of Colorado, Boulder.

"I am thrilled to join Aura to lead the Company through this next phase of its growth, including Phase 3 trial completion and the potential registration and commercial launch of bel-sar," Holles said in a statement.

The CoMpass trial represents the first registration-enabling study in early choroidal melanoma, evaluating belzupacap sarotalocan against a sham control. The investigational therapy has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA and European Medicines Agency, as well as Fast Track designation from the FDA for treating early choroidal melanoma.

Board Chairman David Johnson said Holles' experience in late-stage development and rare disease commercialization makes her suited to lead the company as it approaches trial completion and prepares for potential commercialization.

You May Also Be Interested In

• FDA approves Outlook Therapeutics' Lytenava for wet AMD
• Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar meltdown: How SpaceX and Tesla erased $700 billion
• VYNE Therapeutics distributes cash dividend ahead of Yarrow merger close