Leal Therapeutics Bolsters Leadership Team

Biotech firm adds Chief Medical Officer and Chief Business Officer to advance CNS drug pipeline.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:33am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a glass beaker filled with a vibrant blue liquid, a sleek metal syringe, and a stack of scientific papers, conceptually representing Leal Therapeutics' advanced research and development of novel neuro-metabolic drug candidates.Leal Therapeutics' new executive hires underscore the biotech firm's commitment to advancing its promising pipeline of innovative CNS therapeutics.Worcester Today

Leal Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel neuro-metabolic therapeutics, has announced the appointments of Johannes Tauscher, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Raymond Jordt, M.B.A., M.S., as Chief Business Officer. The new hires come as Leal advances its active clinical pipeline, including supportive Phase 1 data for LTX-001 in schizophrenia and a Phase 1/2 trial for LTX-002 in ALS on track to begin in the first half of 2026.

Why it matters

The additions of Dr. Tauscher and Mr. Jordt to Leal's leadership team position the company to further propel its promising CNS drug candidates, including LTX-001 for schizophrenia and LTX-002 for ALS. Leal's focus on neuro-metabolic therapeutics represents a novel approach to addressing high-need neurological disorders.

The details

Dr. Tauscher is a Clinical Psychiatrist and Neurologist with over 20 years of industry and academic experience, previously holding senior roles at Takeda and Eli Lilly. Mr. Jordt brings nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry spanning R&D, finance, and corporate development, with previous experience as CBO of Altimmune and at Eli Lilly. LTX-001, a first-in-class brain-penetrant oral GLS1 inhibitor, has completed the single ascending dose portion of its Phase 1 trial with a favorable safety profile, while LTX-002, an intrathecal antisense oligonucleotide targeting SPTLC1, has completed key preclinical studies.

  • LTX-001's multiple ascending dose portion is underway, and a Phase 1b/2a trial in schizophrenia patients is on track to begin mid-2026, with initial data expected by year-end.
  • LTX-002's Phase 1/2 trial is on track to initiate in the first half of 2026.

The players

Johannes Tauscher, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer of Leal Therapeutics. A Clinical Psychiatrist and Neurologist with over 20 years of industry and academic experience, previously holding senior roles at Takeda and Eli Lilly.

Raymond Jordt, M.B.A., M.S.

Chief Business Officer of Leal Therapeutics. Brings nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry spanning R&D, finance, and corporate development, with previous experience as CBO of Altimmune and at Eli Lilly.

Leal Therapeutics

A biotechnology company developing novel neuro-metabolic therapeutics for high-need CNS disorders. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Worcester, MA.

Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D.

CEO and Founder of Leal Therapeutics.

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What they’re saying

“We have made significant progress with each of our programs in the last few months. LTX-001 has the potential to treat positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia while also providing metabolic benefits such as weight loss. LTX-002 is equally compelling as a novel therapeutic for both genetic and sporadic forms of ALS. The additions of Johannes and Ray position us to further propel and capitalize on these exciting developments.”

— Asa Abeliovich, CEO & Founder

What’s next

Additional updates on LTX-001, LTX-002, and earlier-stage programs in obesity and neurodegeneration are expected later this year.

The takeaway

Leal Therapeutics' new leadership appointments underscore the company's commitment to advancing its promising pipeline of novel neuro-metabolic therapeutics, positioning it to further propel its CNS drug candidates targeting high-need disorders like schizophrenia and ALS.