BOSTON, January 6, 2026 — Leads & Copy —
Galecto, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for blood cancers, has appointed Sherwin Sattarzadeh as Chief Operating Officer and Dr. Becker Hewes as Chief Medical Officer, effective January 5, 2026. The company is advancing DMR-001, a monoclonal antibody targeting mutant calreticulin (mutCALR), with an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission planned for mid-2026 and first-in-human dosing anticipated via subcutaneous administration.
Sattarzadeh previously served as Chief Business Officer at Blueprint Medicines Corporation, while Dr. Hewes was Blueprint Medicines’ Chief Medical Officer.
Galecto’s cash balance, including $285 million raised in a November 2025 private investment in public equity (PIPE), is expected to fund operations into 2029, supporting multiple data milestones, including Phase 1 clinical proof-of-concept data for DMR-001 anticipated in 2027.
“We are thrilled to welcome leaders of Sherwin and Becker’s caliber to the executive team at Galecto,” said Hans Schambye, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Galecto. “Their extensive experience in drug development and new product launches, combined with their proven leadership, will be critical as we advance DMR-001 into clinical trials later this year. With our strengthened executive team, Galecto is well-positioned to rapidly advance our pipeline and deliver transformational therapies to patients in need of new and improved treatment options.”
Sattarzadeh brings over 20 years of industry experience in drug development and company lifecycle stages. During his 10 years at Blueprint Medicines, Mr. Sattarzadeh held positions of increasing responsibility including Head of Regulatory Affairs, Chief of Staff, and SVP Strategic Operations. He has an extensive background in hematology/oncology and rare disease drug development, having led and contributed to the global approvals of AYVAKIT® (avapritinib), GAVRETO® (pralsetinib), CERDELGA® (eliglustat) and MOZOBIL® (plerixafor). Mr. Sattarzadeh received his M.B.A. from Boston University and holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Hewes brings over two decades of experience in drug development in public biotechnology companies. During his time at Blueprint Medicines, Dr. Hewes led the development of an industry-leading pipeline across mast cell disorders and solid tumors, including the approval of AYVAKIT (avapritinib) for indolent and advanced systemic mastocytosis. Prior to joining Blueprint Medicines, Dr. Hewes had an illustrious career in hematology/oncology drug development, having led clinical development and translational medicine efforts for multiple early-stage oncology programs through clinical proof-of-concept, including Kisqali® (ribociclib), as well as leading registration programs for Bosulif® (bosutinib), and Torisel® (temsirolimus). He received his BS from Vanderbilt University and an M.D. from Georgetown University. He completed his residency at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and his fellowship training in Pediatric Oncology at Emory University.
In connection with Mr. Sattarzadeh’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the grant of 190,376 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and non-qualified stock options to purchase 444,209 shares of the Company’s common stock to Mr. Sattarzadeh (the “Sattarzadeh Inducement Grants”) on January 5, 2026 (the “Grant Date”). In connection with Dr. Hewes’ appointment as Chief Medical Officer, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the grant of 264,629 RSUs and non-qualified stock options to purchase 528,603 shares of the Company’s common stock to Dr. Hewes (the “Hewes Inducement Grants” and together with the Sattarzadeh Inducement Grants, the “Inducement Grants”) on the Grant Date.
The Inducement Grants were granted pursuant to the Company’s 2022 Inducement Plan, as amended from time to time, and were granted as an inducement material to each individual entering into employment with the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The non-qualified stock options have an exercise price per share equal to $21.82 and will vest (i) with respect to 25% on the first anniversary of the Grant Date and (ii) thereafter, with respect to an additional 1/48th on each monthly anniversary of the Grant Date following the first anniversary of the Grant Date, subject to the applicable employee’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting dates. The RSUs will vest annually over four years on each anniversary of the Grant Date, subject to the applicable employee’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting dates.
DMR-001 is described as a potentially best-in-class anti-mutCALR monoclonal antibody, demonstrating potent activity in preclinical models. It is engineered with half-life extension technology to enable infrequent, low-volume subcutaneous dosing.
Galecto is advancing a pipeline of antibody therapeutics for hematological cancers, including a mutCALR-driven myeloproliferative neoplasm portfolio targeting essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis. Galecto’s pipeline also includes GB3226, a first-in-class preclinical dual inhibitor of ENL-YEATS and FLT3 for the treatment of multiple genetic subsets of acute myeloid leukemia.
Contacts
Lia Dangelico
Deerfield Group
lia.dangelico@deerfieldgroup.com
Brian Ritchie
LifeSci
britchie@lifesciadvisors.com
Source: Galecto, Inc.
