Articles about Athira Pharma

Athira Pharma shares drop nearly 70% on release of clinical trial data for Alzheimer’s disease

by Charlotte Schubert on June 22, 2022June 22, 2022 at 5:48 pm

Athira Pharma’s stock plummeted nearly 70% Wednesday after a clinical trial testing its candidate drug for Alzheimer’s disease failed to meet its primary endpoint. The phase 2 trial enrolled 77… Read More

Life sciences news: Seagen CEO resigns after arrest, cautious optimism for biotech, and more

by Charlotte Schubert on May 20, 2022May 21, 2022 at 7:04 am

Here’s a rundown of the top life sciences and health news across the Pacific Northwest this week. Seagen CEO resigns after domestic violence arrest: Clay Siegall resigned as CEO and… Read More

Investor who called for ouster of Athira Pharma CEO suspends campaign

by Charlotte Schubert on May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 at 10:35 am

The activist shareholder behind an attempt to replace the CEO of Athira Pharma has suspended his campaign. Billionaire Richard (Ric) Kayne nominated himself and an associate to the board in… Read More

Former Athira Pharma exec says company fell below ‘scientific ethics’ in handling of ex-CEO

by Charlotte Schubert on May 10, 2022May 11, 2022 at 8:07 am

The former head of clinical development and research at Athira Pharma criticized the company’s handling of an investigation that led to the resignation of longtime CEO Leen Kawas in October.… Read More

Latest life sciences news: COVID-19 nasal spray; disease reversal; Amazon’s healthcare priorities

by Charlotte Schubert on April 15, 2022April 15, 2022 at 9:07 am

This week we highlighted the finalists for Health Innovation of the Year at the GeekWire Awards. The finalists showcase the strength of science and innovation in the Pacific Northwest. That… Read More

Latest drama at Athira: Investor calls for CEO replacement and wants two board seats

by Charlotte Schubert on March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 at 2:06 pm

A billionaire investor of Athira Pharma is calling for the ouster of the Seattle company’s CEO and nominated himself and the former chief financial officer at Novartis for the board… Read More

Tech Moves: Adaptive Biotechnologies’ chief medical officer resigns; Athira Pharma’s new hires

by Charlotte Schubert on March 25, 2022March 25, 2022 at 4:13 pm

— Lance Baldo stepped down as chief medical officer of Adaptive Biotechnologies. Baldo is “moving on to pursue another professional opportunity in the early cancer screening market close to home,”… Read More

Ex-Athira Pharma CEO Leen Kawas starts $150M fund with key investors from former company

by Todd Bishop on March 18, 2022March 18, 2022 at 12:29 pm

Leen Kawas, the Seattle biotech exec who resigned as CEO of Athira Pharma after an investigation found she had altered doctoral research images that helped to form the initial basis… Read More

Internal memo: Ex-Athira CEO says ‘I should have known better’ after image manipulation investigation

by Charlotte Schubert on October 22, 2021October 24, 2021 at 7:02 am

The former CEO of Athira Pharma wrote a letter of contrition addressed to employees on Thursday, after resigning in the wake of a company investigation concluding she had altered images… Read More

Ex-Athira Pharma CEO Leen Kawas resigns and leaves board after image manipulation investigation

by Taylor Soper on October 21, 2021February 1, 2022 at 2:04 pm

Leen Kawas has formally resigned as CEO and president of Athira Pharma and is stepping off the board after an investigation found the biotech executive altered images in scientific papers… Read More

Tech Moves: Top Blue Origin engineer joins SpaceX; Axon hires HTC Vive exec; Porch adds to board

by Cara Kuhlman on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 at 2:54 pm

— Law enforcement technology company Axon added former HTC Vive exec Chris Chin as vice president of immersive tech. In his new role, Chin will be responsible for Axon’s virtual… Read More

Athira Pharma extends Alzheimer’s clinical trial, adds new execs after CEO placed on leave

by Charlotte Schubert on August 16, 2021August 18, 2021 at 12:44 pm

Athira Pharma is advancing its clinical trials in the wake of allegations of image manipulation in papers authored by its CEO, the company reported today in its second quarter financial… Read More

Tech Moves: The Riveter’s Amy Nelson to lead new SaksWorks venture; Funko’s leadership transition

by Cara Kuhlman on August 10, 2021September 15, 2021 at 3:15 pm

— Amy Nelson is getting back into co-working. The founder and former CEO of The Riveter announced Tuesday that she is the president of SaksWorks, a new partnership between Saks… Read More

Biotech firm Athira Pharma hit by class action lawsuits following image manipulation claims

by Charlotte Schubert on June 29, 2021August 17, 2021 at 11:22 am

The lawsuits have begun. Barely a week after the CEO of Athira Pharma was placed on temporary leave after allegations of altered images in scientific papers she authored, three class… Read More

Athira Pharma CEO Leen Kawas placed on leave, shares sink more than 30%

by John Cook on June 17, 2021June 18, 2021 at 7:09 am

Athira Pharma CEO Leen Kawas has been placed on temporary leave until the Seattle area biotechnology company completes a review “stemming from doctoral research Dr. Kawas conducted while at Washington… Read More

Approval of Biogen’s drug for Alzheimer’s disease may ease path for others such as Athira Pharma

by Charlotte Schubert on June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 at 5:31 pm

The approval on Monday of the first new drug for Alzheimer’s disease in nearly two decades — Biogen’s aducanumab — helps shine a light on a path forward for other… Read More

IPOs: A hot year for tech offerings shows deep economic disparities

by John Cook on January 3, 2021January 4, 2021 at 8:42 am

In a year when large swaths of the economy sputtered due to the pandemic, Wall Street opened its doors to new entrants with 218 companies raising $78 billion through initial… Read More

Podcast

2021 Predictions: Why these tech, science and startup leaders are upbeat about the year ahead

by Cara Kuhlman & Taylor Soper on January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 at 11:29 am

An “incredibly dynamic year of change,” a “new hope,” and a “gangbusters” year in which the tech sector will come “roaring back.” Those are some of the phrases used by… Read More

Athira Pharma wins $15M grant from National Institute on Aging for trial of Alzheimer’s drug

by Todd Bishop on December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 at 7:50 am

Seattle-based biotech company Athira Pharma announced a three-year grant totaling $15 million from the National Institute on Aging to support an upcoming clinical trial of a treatment that seeks to… Read More

Athira Pharma raises $204M in IPO, reaching ‘big milestone’ in fight against Alzheimer’s and other diseases

by Taylor Soper on September 18, 2020September 21, 2020 at 10:27 am

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and the number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million by 2050. The disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in… Read More

Athira Pharma prices IPO at $17/share, will raise $204M in third Washington state IPO of 2020

by Taylor Soper on September 17, 2020September 18, 2020 at 6:37 am

Athira Pharma will raise at least $204 million as the Seattle biotech startup becomes a public company on Friday. Athira priced its IPO on Thursday evening at $17 per share,… Read More

News Brief

Seattle biotech Athira Pharma sets terms for IPO, aims to raise up to $170M

by Taylor Soper on September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 at 8:36 am

Athira Pharma plans to price its stock at $15 to $17 per share and raise up to $170 million in its initial public offering. The Seattle biotech filed updated IPO… Read More

Podcast

GeekWire Podcast: Breaking the IPO glass ceiling; Who succeeds Bezos?; TikTok’s ticking clock

by Curt Milton on September 5, 2020September 5, 2020 at 8:58 am

Here’s what we’re talking about on the GeekWire Podcast this week. When Athira Pharma filed with the Nasdaq for a possible initial public offering, led by CEO Leen Kawas, it… Read More

This 35-year-old female CEO is about to crack the glass ceiling, shattering a dismal IPO track record

by John Cook on September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 at 2:46 pm

Leen Kawas is truly a unicorn. The 35-year-old co-founder and CEO of Seattle biotechnology company Athira Pharma would be the first woman to guide a company to an initial public… Read More

Seattle’s Athira Pharma files for IPO to fund quest for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s breakthroughs

by Taylor Soper on August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 at 4:01 pm

Athira Pharma is aiming to go public. The Seattle biotech filed initial IPO paperwork Wednesday, a surprising move that would give the company additional capital to develop its therapies for… Read More

Seattle biotech startup Athira raises $85M to develop therapies for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

by Taylor Soper on June 4, 2020August 17, 2021 at 11:22 am

The foundation of Athira Pharma began while Leen Kawas was earning her Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology at Washington State University nearly a decade ago. Fast forward to today and the Seattle… Read More

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