SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shape Therapeutics, Inc. (ShapeTX), a next-generation gene therapy company with an industry-leading RNA targeting technology platform, announces today the appointment of Gary Fortin as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Prior to joining ShapeTX, Dr. Fortin was Head of Business Strategy and Operations for the Severe Genetic Disease unit of bluebird bio (NASDAQ:BLUE), where he navigated a portfolio of gene therapy programs through research, development, manufacturing, and commercial. Before bluebird bio, Gary held various medical affairs and program leadership positions at Biogen, Millennium/Takeda, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, and Abbott Laboratories.

"As ShapeTX transitions from a pre-clinical into a clinical-stage gene therapy company, we look forward to leveraging Gary's breadth of experience across our R&D Programs and rapidly growing operations," said Dr. Francois Vigneault, President and CEO of ShapeTX. "Gary's successful track record and experience at bluebird bio is inspiring and will have a material impact ushering ShapeTX into the next chapter as a company."

About Shape Therapeutics, Inc

Shape Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation RNA-targeted therapies to treat the world's most challenging diseases. The ShapeTX technology platform includes RNAskip™, a proprietary suppressor tRNA technology that enables premature stop codon readthrough; RNAfix™, a precision RNA editing technology using endogenous Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR); and AAVid™, a next-generation engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform producing highly specific, tissue-tropic AAVs. The power of the ShapeTX platforms resides in redirecting the cellular machinery already present in our cells, thereby bypassing the risks of immunogenicity and DNA damage seen with other contemporary editing technologies. ShapeTX is committed to data-driven scientific advancement, passionate people and a mission of providing life-long cures to patients. Shape Life!

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