Anne Prener to lead Freeline Therapeutics

London, UK-based gene therapy-focused biopharmaceutical company Freeline Therapeutics has appointed Anne Prener as its new chief executive officer.

She joins from Gyroscope Therapeutics where she was CEO and brings to her new role experience in drug development and commercialisation with a specific focus on gene therapy and rare diseases.

Frener said: “I am excited to be joining Freeline at this important time in the company’s development as our most advanced programme approaches the clinical proof of concept stage and with our novel pipeline not far behind.

“Freeline comprises some of the world’s leading experts in gene therapy, haemophilia and other debilitating disorders and I look forward to working closely with them to demonstrate the potential of our next-generation AAV gene therapy platform."

Prior to Gyroscope, Frener served as vice president, clinical research haematology and global therapeutic area head of haematology at Baxalta.

She has also worked at Novo Nordisk as senir vice president, haemophilia R&D and was a council member of its Haemophilia Foundation – a non-profit organisation aiming to improve access to care for people with bleeding disorders.

Chris Hollowood, chairman of Freeline Therapeutics and chief investment officer of Syncona, said: “Anne is an extremely accomplished executive with extensive experience in building and leading teams and developing haematology and gene therapy products that positively impact patients’ lives.

“She joins an established team and a company with a strong foundation poised for the next phase of its growth.”