Atsena Therapeutics Appoints Linda B. Couto, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer (Globe Newswire)

Atsena Therapeutics Appoints Linda B. Couto, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer

UF startup Atsena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on bringing the life-changing power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, announced the appointment of Linda B. Couto, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Couto brings more than 25 years of gene therapy experience to the Atsena leadership team. She has been a senior gene therapy consultant to the company and will assume the CSO responsibilities from Shannon Boye, Ph.D., Atsena’s co-founder who has been serving as acting CSO. “I’m thrilled to welcome Linda to the Atsena team and look forward to working with her to develop novel ocular gene therapies,” said Dr. Boye, who will remain on Atsena’s board of directors and continue to provide scientific and strategic counsel.

“Linda’s depth of knowledge about adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and experience with the first approved gene therapy for inherited retinal disease are extraordinary assets to Atsena,” said Patrick Ritschel, MBA, chief executive officer of Atsena. “We’re delighted that Linda is taking on the role of Chief Scientific Officer and look forward to continuing to leverage her gene therapy expertise as we progress the development of novel treatments aimed at reversing or preventing blindness.”

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