Thousand Oaks biotech company appoints CEO
Latigo Biotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company based in Thousand Oaks, announced that it has appointed Nima Farzan to be its CEO.
Announced July 22, Farzan brings a “strong track record” with more than two decades of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Farzan is also Latigo’s first CEO as he replaces Desmond Padhi, operating partner at Westlake Village BioPartners, who has been serving as Latigo’s interim CEO.
“I am honored to lead Latigo Biotherapeutics at such a critical juncture,” said Farzan in a press release.
“With our cutting-edge approach to pain management, I am confident in our ability to drive significant advancements in the field and enhance patient care where new, safer options are needed.”
Latigo is focused on developing non-opioid pain medicines that target pain at its source. The company emerged from stealth mode on Feb. 14, announcing $135 million in Series A financing.
The company’s $135 million in Series A financing was led by Westlake Village BioPartners, who also incubated Latigo, with 5AM Ventures and Foresite Capital acting as co-leads with participation from Corner Ventures.
“The addition of Nima represents a pivotal moment for Latigo,” Nancy Stagliano, chair of Latigo’s board of directors, said in a press release.
“His extensive industry leadership and clinical development experience will propel us toward our goal of becoming a world leader in discovering and developing non-opioid pain medicines.”
Farzan’s two decades of leadership experience in the biotech industry include a significant tenure as CEO of Kinnate Biopharma.
He joined Kinnate in 2020 and built an organization that subsequently brought three different precision oncology compounds discovered internally into the clinic.
He led Kinnate’s successful initial public offering of $270 million and eventual sale to Xoma Corporation in April 2024, according to a press release.
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