Ona Therapeutics has appointed Antoine Yver as chair of its board as the Barcelona biotech prepares to move its lead antibody-drug conjugate ONA-255 into clinical trials for breast cancer in early 2026. The company said the appointment strengthens its shift toward becoming a clinical-stage organisation while supporting the advance of its broader pipeline of first-in-class ADCs for solid tumours.

Yver brings more than three decades of oncology drug development experience, including senior leadership roles at Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Merck. He has been involved in the development and approval of multiple cancer medicines that have shaped standards of care, including enhertu, tagrisso and lynparza. His experience leading ADC development at Daiichi Sankyo is seen as particularly relevant as Ona pushes its own pipeline toward first-in-human studies.

Ona chief executive Valerie Vanhooren said: “Antoine’s unparalleled experience in advancing first-in-class oncology drugs at lightning speed from translational research through global approval will be critical as we advance our lead candidate, ONA-255, into clinical development in breast cancer.” She added that the company is also progressing ONA-389 for microsatellite stable colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, both considered high-need indications with few effective treatment options.

In previous roles, Yver led global oncology R&D at Daiichi Sankyo and oversaw oncology development programmes at AstraZeneca. His leadership in taking enhertu from first-in-human trials to worldwide approval is widely viewed as an example of rapid ADC development. Ona said this expertise will support its aim to build a portfolio of differentiated ADCs with novel tumour-targeting mechanisms.

Yver currently serves as an independent director on the board of Sanofi and sits on several other oncology company boards, as well as the scientific advisory committee at Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute. His involvement across research, strategy and governance reflects a broad influence in the oncology field.

Ona’s platform uses patient-derived biology to identify tumour targets that it says are not exploited by existing ADCs or standard therapies. The company claims this approach offers a competitive advantage as it aims to expand ADC use across major solid tumours. Its lead candidate ONA-255 is being prepared for clinical evaluation in breast cancer and is showing potential across gastric and other tumour types. ONA-389 targets MSS colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, two areas where outcomes remain poor and new mechanisms are needed.

Reflecting on his appointment, Yver said: “Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative impact ADCs can have for the treatment paradigm of breast cancer and the direct clinical benefit for patients, I recognise the compelling potential of Ona’s approach in identifying novel tumour targets in breast cancer and other major solid tumors.” He added: “I’m thrilled to join the company at this pivotal stage to help ensure clinical readiness, guide swift, focused, and effective development strategy, and support the team in executing and advancing its pipeline and bringing next-generation ADCs to the patients who need them most.”