Alterome Therapeutics has named Leonardo Faoro, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Immediately prior to joining Alterome, Faoro served in the same capacity at Quanta Therapeutics.

Alterome’s Oncology Work

There, as in this new position, Faoro focused on development of novel Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) inhibitors. This work dovetails with Alterome’s mission of developing next-generation, small-molecule therapies for cancer treatment.

Illustrating that, at Alterome, Faoro will oversee ALTA3263, a pan-KRAS inhibitor to KRAS activity in both ON and OFF states. He will also lead the clinical development of ALTA2618, a mutation-selective inhibitor for cancers driven by the AKT1 protein.

Both of these candidates are currently in Phase I/Ib development. Initial data is expected later in 2026.

Faoro said his career has embraced opportunities to make a “significant impact on the treatment landscape” for cancer patients.

This is a goal Alterome shares “in targeting two of cancer’s most elusive targets, AKT1 and KRAS,” Faoro said.

“I look forward to working with this passionate and committed team, along with the oncology community,” Faoro said.

Faoro’s CMO Role and Experience

Jung E. Choi, Alterome CEO, applauded Faoro’s appointment. Choi said the company has made “great progress” in treating the most aggressive, difficult-to-treat cancers.

They have “two potential best-in-class programs [they] advanced from inception into the clinic in less than four years,” Choi said.

Choi elaborated on Faoro’s leadership experience in targeted therapies for multiple solid tumor indications, including KRAS inhibitors.

“We are well-positioned to build on this foundation and rapidly progress these programs into registrational studies,” Choi said.

Prior to his tenure at Quanta, Faoro served in several capacities at Exelixis. He was previously Vice President of Clinical Development at OncoMed Pharmaceuticals. He began his clinical development career at Genentech.