Rigel Names Alison Hannah as CMO to Propel R289 Phase 1b and Vepdegestrant Trials
RIGL•Rigel Pharmaceuticals has appointed board member Alison L. Hannah, M.D. as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, effective July 1, 2026, with her resigning from the board. She oversaw 40 cancer drug regulatory filings at CytomX and will guide R289 Phase 1b expansion and vepdegestrant trials.
1. Executive Appointment
Rigel Pharmaceuticals appointed Alison L. Hannah, M.D., as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer effective July 1, 2026, following her resignation from the board of directors. She succeeds Lisa Rojkjaer and joins the executive team to oversee clinical strategy and regulatory interactions.
2. R289 Phase 1b Expansion
R289, a potent dual IRAK1/4 inhibitor for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, is undergoing Phase 1b dose expansion with enrollment ongoing. Rigel plans to complete enrollment and select a recommended Phase 2 dose in the second half of 2026, with preliminary data anticipated by year-end.
3. Vepdegestrant and Future Plans
Rigel is also advancing vepdegestrant in metastatic breast cancer and evaluating additional indications for its development pipeline. Dr. Hannah’s deep oncology expertise and track record of over 40 regulatory filings are expected to accelerate clinical milestones and potential filings later this year.
