Renowned hepatologist and drug developer set to guide company’s next phase of growth
March 04, 2025 08:00 AM EST
DURHAM, N.C. & SEATTLE — (BUSINESS WIRE) – Leading epigenome company Tune Therapeutics is proud to announce that veteran drug-development executive John McHutchison AO, MD will be its new CEO and Chairman of the Board.
“I am honored to be taking on this new role with Tune, and to be leading such an exciting and talented team,” said Dr. McHutchison. “The company has such a strong foundation, and the modality has the potential to address a vast range common and complex diseases that have thus far remained untreatable via conventional genetic approaches. I’m eager to help write this next chapter in medicine.”
Dr. McHutchison previously served as the President and CEO of Assembly Biosciences, where he spearheaded the company’s progress in advancing novel HBV antivirals using core-inhibitor technology. He later moved to the Board of Directors, taking on the role of Chair for the Science and Technology Committee.
Prior to joining Assembly, Dr. McHutchison was the Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research and Development at Gilead Sciences. Under his leadership, the company developed multiple treatments for chronic Hepatitis B and a curative treatment regimen for Hepatitis C – bringing relief to millions living with the condition worldwide. He also brings extensive cell therapy expertise having played a key role in the company’s strategic acquisition of Kite Therapeutics, helping to establish its leadership in the CAR T cell therapy space.
“With clinical trials underway with Hepatitis B patients in New Zealand and Hong Kong, Tune Therapeutics is at an exciting, pivotal stage,” said Ali Behbahani, MD, Partner and Co-Head of Healthcare at New Enterprise Associates. “In this context, John McHutchison brings an unparalleled blend of knowledge and practical industry expertise. There could be no better person to advance Tune’s vision and drive our future success.”
“John has been an invaluable asset to the Tune Board of Directors, and we are thrilled to have him leading the company forward as CEO,” added Dan McHugh, Tune Co-Founder, Board Member, and Investor at Yosemite. “His medical background and expansive work in commercializing gene and cell therapies leaves Tune ideally positioned to translate its considerable technical advances to the clinic. We see bright, new horizons ahead.”
About Tune Therapeutics
Armed with its powerful and innovative genetic tuning platform (TEMPO), Tune Therapeutics aims to bring gene, cell, and regenerative therapies into a new era of human medicine – expanding their range of application from rare disease to common, chronic, and age-related conditions.
Media Contact
Glenn Murphy, Director of Communications: glenn.murphy@tunetx.com