Septerna Inc. said Monday it has appointed Rajiv Patni, M.D., as chief medical officer as the South San Francisco-based biotech accelerates its oral small-molecule pipeline targeting G protein-coupled receptor disorders.
Patni brings more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience spanning research, development, regulatory affairs and medical operations. His prior roles include CEO of Judo Bio and chief research and development officer at Reata Pharmaceuticals. He also served as CMO at Global Blood Therapeutics, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Adamas Pharmaceuticals and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, contributing to 10 regulatory approvals or label expansions across the United States, Europe and other markets.
Before his executive positions, Patni led development teams at Pfizer and Roche Pharmaceuticals. He holds an M.D. from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He currently serves as a director of BioXcel Therapeutics.
Jeffrey Finer, M.D., Ph.D., Septerna’s CEO and co-founder, said Patni’s appointment strengthens the company’s clinical development capabilities as it advances oral small-molecule candidates in endocrinology, immunology, inflammation and metabolic diseases. The company did not disclose a transition timeline or additional financial terms.
