Synedgen Appoints Dr. Laura Saward as Chief Scientific Officer
Synedgen, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on glycobiology to treat gastrointestinal diseases, has appointed Dr. Laura Saward, PhD, as its Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Saward brings over 25 years of experience in therapeutic drug development, spanning from preclinical stages to product licensure. As Synedgen’s new CSO, she will lead the company’s scientific strategy and help further its development pipeline and government partnerships.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Saward to our team,” said Dr. Kenton Gregory, Chairman of the Board for Synedgen. “Her wealth of experience in drug development and managing government contracts is invaluable, especially in the wake of our $119 million partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our lead asset, MIIST305, in its dual indications for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome and ulcerative colitis.”
Dr. Saward expressed excitement about joining Synedgen, emphasizing the potential of the company’s lead drug candidate, MIIST305. “I’m excited to leverage my scientific and industry experience to help Synedgen advance MIIST305 and bring it to its full potential. The technology Synedgen has developed is unique, with applications in both biodefense and commercial sectors, highlighted by the recent partnerships with BARDA and the U.S. Department of Defense,” she said.
Before joining Synedgen, Dr. Saward served as Executive Vice President of Health and Medical for Adva Diagnostics Inc., where she played a key role in strategy, growth planning, and expanding partnerships. Prior to Adva Diagnostics, she held several senior positions at Emergent BioSolutions, including leading the Therapeutics Business Unit. Dr. Saward has also worked at Cangene Corporation, where she held the roles of Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research and Development, directing the licensure of multiple products for both commercial markets and government contracts.
Dr. Saward earned her B.Sc. from the University of Guelph and a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Robarts Research Institute at the University of Western Ontario. In addition to her industry roles, Dr. Saward maintains strong academic ties as an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. She also serves on several boards, further highlighting her extensive expertise in the field.
Synedgen’s lead candidate, MIIST305, is an oral, glycocalyx-targeted therapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). The drug is also being developed as a medical countermeasure for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS), with support from the U.S. government. MIIST305 works by modulating the innate immune system, which plays a critical role in protecting the body from injury and infections. The dual development of MIIST305 as both a therapeutic for UC and a countermeasure for GI-ARS underscores the broader potential impact of the technology.
Synedgen has made significant progress in developing its proprietary Multivalent Innate Immune Signaling Target (MIIST) therapeutics. The company has completed clinical trials in partnered programs, and its work has been extensively peer-reviewed through multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and Department of Defense contracts. Synedgen’s MIIST305 program is funded in part by federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and BARDA, under Contract No. 75A50124C00047.
In addition to its research and development efforts, Synedgen operates an in-house Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, ensuring it can meet the demands of both clinical trials and future commercial production.
Dr. Saward’s appointment represents an important step for Synedgen as it continues to advance MIIST305 through its clinical trials and strengthens its partnerships with key governmental agencies. The expertise she brings to the company will be instrumental in furthering the development of MIIST305 and expanding Synedgen’s broader therapeutic and biodefense initiatives. As the company works to deliver transformative solutions to patients with gastrointestinal diseases, the leadership of Dr. Saward will help guide its growth and innovation in the years to come.
