Rigel Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Alison L. Hannah, M.D. to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Hannah has resigned from Rigel's Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026, in connection with her appointment. She succeeds Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer.
"Alison has been a valued member of Rigel's Board, and we are pleased to welcome her to the executive leadership team as Chief Medical Officer at an exciting time for Rigel. Her deep experience leading oncology clinical development and advancing investigational therapies through the regulatory process will be extremely valuable as we continue to advance our development pipeline, including R289 in lower-risk MDS, vepdegestrant in metastatic breast cancer and other potential opportunities," said Raul Rodriguez, Rigel's president and CEO. "On behalf of the entire Rigel team, I want to sincerely thank Lisa for her dedication and many contributions to the company."
Rigel's leading pipeline asset, R2891, a potent and selective dual inhibitor of interleukin receptor-associated kinases 1 and 4 (IRAK1/4), continues to be advanced in its Phase 1b clinical study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy in patients with relapsed or refractory lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Enrollment in the dose expansion phase of the study is ongoing, and Rigel remains on track to complete enrollment and select the recommended Phase 2 dose for future clinical studies in the second half of 2026. The company continues to anticipate sharing preliminary data from the dose expansion phase of the study by the end of 2026. In addition, Rigel is progressing its evaluation of other potential indications to advance R289 and is planning to provide an update later this year.
"I am excited to join Rigel at this important stage in the company's evolution. Having served on Rigel's Board, I have seen firsthand the strength of the team, the scientific rationale behind its programs and the opportunity to advance meaningful new therapies for patients with hematologic disorders and cancer," said Dr. Hannah. "I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to help guide the continued development of R289 and Rigel's broader clinical strategy, including the recent addition of vepdegestrant."
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