Jasper Therapeutics announced that Jeet Mahal will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 5, 2026, following the resignation of Ronald Martell. Mahal, who has spent more than six years at Jasper and previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer, brings over thirty years of experience in the life sciences industry, including senior positions at Portola Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, and COR Therapeutics.
The leadership transition comes as Jasper focuses on advancing its lead antibody candidate, briquilimab, for mast cell–driven diseases such as chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic inducible urticaria, and asthma. In the wake of a drug‑lot issue that halted the ETESIAN asthma trial in July 2025 and a 50% workforce reduction, the company has tightened its cash burn to an annualized $107 million as of June 30, 2025, and is pursuing a registrational program for briquilimab in CSU.
In a statement, Executive Chair Thomas Wiggans said the appointment signals a renewed focus on operational execution and clinical advancement. “We are grateful to Ron for his leadership in pivoting development of briquilimab to a focus on mast cell–driven diseases, and we appreciate his support through this transition,” Wiggans said. “Jeet’s strategic vision and deep experience in therapeutic development make him an ideal leader to drive value for shareholders and patients.”
Mahal welcomed the role, noting that briquilimab has shown promising efficacy in early‑stage studies and that the company is preparing to launch a Phase 2b study in CSU. “Briquilimab has demonstrated a compelling profile in both CSU and CIndU, with proof of concept in asthma,” he said. “My immediate focus will be on ensuring the efficient completion of our current studies while laying the groundwork for future development.”
The change follows Martell’s resignation after joining Jasper in 2022. Martell emphasized his pride in the science the company has advanced and expressed support for the transition. “It has been a privilege to lead this talented team,” he said. “I look forward to supporting Jeet during this transition and continuing to advocate for the company’s success.”
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