We are charting a bold, science-driven path anchored in the biology of repeat expansion diseases to deliver first-in-class therapies for patients in need.
We are charting a bold, science-driven path anchored in the biology of repeat expansion diseases to deliver first-in-class therapies for patients in need.
Chief Executive Officer
Susan Francia brings the rare combination of Olympic champion grit and more than a decade of biotech leadership to the pursuit of patient-centered therapies. Her high-performance mindset inspires teamwork and resilience in charting a new course against disease. Susan, an MBA graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the daughter of Nobel laureate Dr. Katalin Karikó, draws on more than a decade of leadership in the life sciences sector to lead Repeat’s bold vision: developing first-in-human therapies for ALS.
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Chief Scientific Officer
Katalin Karikó, PhD, is a 2023 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine. She is globally recognized for pioneering RNA research that has enabled the development of mRNA-based medicines. Dr. Karikó has spent her career pushing the boundaries of translational science, previously serving as Senior Vice President at BioNTech and as Professor at the University of Szeged, in addition to 24 years at the University of Pennsylvania, where she established the basis for mRNA vaccines. Dr. Karikó is also the author of the best-selling memoir Breaking Through, reflecting on her life in science and the persistence behind discovery. Her contributions have been honored with prestigious awards, including the Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2021) and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2022). It is her long-standing hypothesis and vision that led to the founding of Repeat Therapeutics, where she guides the development of first-in-human programs for ALS. Dr. Karikó brings rigorous RNA science and decades of persistence to a new frontier in neurodegeneration.
Vice President, Operations
Matthew Rota leads Repeat’s programs with technical depth and operational insight, shaped by years of a strong foundation at Catalent Pharma Solutions, where he worked on early-stage drug development and technology transfer across global programs. He then expanded his expertise at TriLink BioTechnologies, where he supported commercial operations. He holds both a Master of Science in Drug Development and Product Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and is passionate about building the processes that ensure breakthrough therapies can reach the patients who need them most.
Head of Regulatory
Trevor Mill brings over 30 years of global regulatory and drug-development experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. At Repeat Therapeutics, he leads regulatory strategy and development planning, guiding programs through key milestones and agency engagement.
Before joining Repeat, Trevor held senior leadership roles at Biogen, COMPASS Pathways, and Pfizer, overseeing regulatory, safety, and development organizations worldwide. He is also Senior Vice President at SSI Strategy and a member of its Global Regulatory Leadership Team. Trevor earned his Pharmacy degree (BSc Hons) from Portsmouth University.
Head of Program Management
Tom McMonagle is an Engagement Manager at SSI Strategy. At Repeat Therapeutics, he leads program management, driving cross-functional execution across clinical, regulatory, and operational workstreams. He brings experience from large pharmaceutical organizations and early-stage biotechs, helping programs move efficiently from discovery toward clinical development. He has supported global regulatory submissions, rare-disease clinical programs, and organizational transformation initiatives across the life sciences industry, known for aligning technical and executive stakeholders to deliver on key milestones. Tom holds a BA in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Head of Clinical Operations
Brendan Slagle brings over 18 years of clinical research and operational leadership experience across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Brendan is Senior Director at SSI Strategy. In his role at Repeat Therapeutics, he oversees clinical operations and development strategy, ensuring programs advance efficiently and with patient safety at the center. Before joining SSI, Brendan held roles at Halloran Consulting Group, Medtronic, and Dartmouth’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center, supporting early-stage life science companies in designing and executing clinical programs. Brendan holds an ALM in Biotechnology from Harvard University and a BS in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota.
Head of Clinical Development
Nino Devidze, PhD, brings over 25 years of experience in neuroscience and drug development. Nino is a Senior Vice President at SSI Strategy. In her role at Repeat Therapeutics, sheleads early clinical strategy and execution. Her prior roles span Bristol-Myers Squibb, Spark Therapeutics, Forma Therapeutics, the University of Pennsylvania, and Redpin Therapeutics, advancing therapies across neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases.
She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the Beritashvili Institute in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, and completed her postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University.
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CMC Advisor
Brian Tham brings more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical development experience to Repeat Therapeutics. Brian Tham represents SSI Strategy as CMC Expert Advisor. He has led programs from early research through clinical development and toward commercial readiness, with deep expertise in manufacturing strategy, process development, and CMC regulatory planning. Brian previously held leadership roles at Novavax, GlaxoSmithKline, Human Genome Sciences, and Lonza, contributing to programs including the first FDA-approved lupus therapy in more than 40 years. He is also the founder of Peregrine Bio, LLC, where he advises companies on global CMC development. Brian holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia.
Headof Safety and Pharmacovigilance
Mattia Calissano, MD,PhD, is Vice President, Medical, at SSI Strategy and brings more than a decade of experience in drug safety and pharmacovigilance spanning the full spectrum of clinical development from first-in-human studies to initial Marketing Authorization Application across multiple regions, including the FDA, EMA, MHRA, and Swissmedic. At Repeat Therapeutics Mattia is the Head of Safety and Pharmacovigilance. Hisexpertise includes serving as Head of Pharmacovigilance at a company developing gene therapies for rare diseases and as lead PRAC medical assessor at the MHRA in theUK. Mattia earned his medical degree from University ‘La Sapienza’, Rome, Italy, his PhD in Neuroscience from University College London (UCL) in London,UK, and a Master's in Clinical Pharmacology from King’s College London (KCL) inLondon, UK.
Repeat expansion diseases develop when small stretches of DNA are mistakenly copied too many times, disrupting how cells function. These genetic changes can affect different parts of the central nervous system, leading to a range of serious neurodegenerative disorders.
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ALS, the most common type of MND (motor neuron disease), progressively damages the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that power every voluntary movement, from lifting a glass of water to taking a breath. Over time, these cells lose their ability to send signals to muscles, leading to weakness, loss of function, and, eventually, paralysis.
While most people with ALS have no family history, a smaller group carries a genetic change that raises their risk.
C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS. People living with C9orf72-ALS often face faster progression and fewer answers. They have waited years for new options. We are working toward answers that may open the door to progress for the wider ALS community.
The C9orf72 mutation disrupts an essential metabolic pathway. Without it, nerve cells cannot make and recycle molecules they need to function and survive. Our approach is focused on restoring these essential molecules, thereby protecting nerve cells from damage and loss.
Designed To Work With The Body’s Own Biochemistry
Our investigational therapies, RTX-101 and RTX-111, are oral combinations being evaluated in a clinical study in Australia to assess safety and tolerability. They are built on a scientific approach that leverages decades of metabolic signaling and neurodegeneration research to target the underlying biology of ALS.
Where we are today:
Reach
Pursuing access and affordability as essential outcomes.
Restore
Renewing balance and cellular health through metabolic science.
Redefine
Shaping a new era of understanding and treatment for ALS and beyond.
Every patient deserves access to science that puts them first. At Repeat Therapeutics, our work is about restoring hope and redefining what is possible in the fight against repeat expansion diseases. We are dedicated to developing an effective therapeutic option for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases to improve the quality of life for patients in need.
Nobel laureate Dr. Katalin Karikó and two-time Olympic gold medalist Susan Francia, who bring extraordinary vision and resilience to the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
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A Phase 1 trial has begun in Australia to evaluate Repeat’s investigational treatment for C9orf72-associated ALS.
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Explore resources, including guidance, support programs, and tools to help navigate life with motor neuron disease.
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Visit the official Nobel Prize profile highlighting Dr. Karikó’s journey and science behind her work.
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