Northbrook, Illinois, August,11, 2026
Kalohexis, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies that target the melanocortin system, has appointed Jeffrey Sherman, MD, FACP, to its Board of Directors. The appointment adds more than 35 years of pharmaceutical research, development and regulatory experience to the company’s leadership as Kalohexis advances its therapeutic peptide pipeline for metabolic diseases. Dr. Sherman previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Horizon Therapeutics before its acquisition by Amgen and brings extensive experience in global clinical strategy, regulatory development and rare disease drug development. The company is currently focused on potential treatments for obesity and cancer cachexia, two areas with significant unmet medical needs.
Jeffrey Sherman Brings Extensive Drug Development Expertise
Dr. Sherman is a physician and experienced pharmaceutical executive who has spent more than three decades working across clinical research, drug development and regulatory strategy. Before joining Kalohexis’ Board, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Horizon Therapeutics. Earlier in his career, he held senior research and medical leadership positions at IDM Pharma, Takeda Global Research & Development Center, NeoPharm, Searle/Pharmacia and Squibb/Bristol-Myers Squibb.His professional experience includes global clinical development and regulatory strategy across multiple therapeutic areas, providing Kalohexis with additional expertise as the company progresses its pipeline.
Dr. Sherman has also held leadership roles within the broader life sciences community, including serving as former board chairperson and inaugural fellow of the Drug Information Association (DIA). He previously participated on the steering committee of the FDA-sponsored Clinical Trial Transformation Initiative (CTTI), further strengthening his background in clinical research and regulatory development. Kalohexis CEO Russell Potterfield said Sherman’s experience in global clinical and regulatory strategy and rare disease drug development will provide valuable expertise to the company’s Board. His appointment comes as Kalohexis works to advance therapeutic peptide candidates designed to target the melanocortin system and address metabolic disorders.
Kalohexis Advances Melanocortin-Based Therapeutics
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Kalohexis is developing a pipeline based on the melanocortin system, a biological pathway involved in regulating metabolic homeostasis. The company’s proprietary approach is designed to target central melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R) using therapeutic peptides. Kalohexis believes this strategy could provide new approaches to treating metabolic diseases where existing therapies may not adequately address patient needs.
The company’s lead programs include 710GO, an oral dual MC3R/MC4R agonist being developed to support healthier and more durable weight loss in people with general obesity. Another lead candidate, mifomelatide, is a dual MC3R/MC4R antagonist being developed for the treatment of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. These programs represent the company’s focus on applying melanocortin biology to both metabolic disease and cancer-associated conditions. Dr. Sherman said Kalohexis’ approach to targeting the melanocortin system could potentially offer new therapeutic opportunities for people with metabolic disorders. He will work with the company’s leadership team to support continued advancement of its melanocortin-based therapeutic pipeline.
Leadership Addition Supports Clinical Pipeline
Kalohexis was spun out of Endevica Bio in March 2026 and is building its position as a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on metabolic disease. The appointment of Dr. Sherman strengthens the company’s leadership capabilities during an important stage of pipeline development. His experience across pharmaceutical R&D, clinical science and regulatory strategy could support Kalohexis as it advances its investigational candidates toward future clinical and regulatory milestones. Dr. Sherman currently serves on the boards of Sorriso Pharmaceuticals, Larimar Therapeutics and DIMERx and has held academic and advisory positions involving translational medicine and healthcare innovation.
His appointment adds further industry experience to Kalohexis as the company seeks to develop targeted therapies for obesity, cancer cachexia and other metabolic disorders. The addition of an experienced pharmaceutical executive to the Board reflects Kalohexis’ focus on strengthening its strategic and clinical leadership as it develops its novel therapeutic approach. With 710GO and mifomelatide representing key programs, the company is positioned to continue exploring the therapeutic potential of the melanocortin system across significant areas of unmet medical need.
Source: Kalohexis press release
