Rocket Pharmaceuticals Bolsters Commercial Team Ahead of Potential Gene Therapy Launch

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on developing gene therapies, has made a significant move to strengthen its commercial capabilities as it prepares for the potential launch of its first therapeutic. The company has appointed Sarbani Chaudhuri as its new chief commercial and medical affairs officer, signaling a strategic push towards market readiness for its pipeline products.

Leadership Appointment Brings Industry Expertise

Sarbani Chaudhuri joins Rocket Pharmaceuticals with an impressive track record in the pharmaceutical industry. Her most recent role was at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, where she served as VP and head of hematology in the global commercial strategy organization. During her three-year tenure, Chaudhuri played a crucial role in building out the business that includes blockbuster multiple myeloma treatment Darzalex and the emerging CAR-T therapy Carvykti.

Chaudhuri's extensive experience spans nearly two decades across several major pharmaceutical companies. Her career highlights include:

• Global head of the breast cancer business unit and Enhertu franchise at AstraZeneca
• Leadership roles in oncology and rare disease portfolios at Pfizer
• Nearly a decade at Novartis, culminating in leading the evolution of the U.S. oncology customer model

In a LinkedIn post, Chaudhuri expressed pride in her accomplishments at Johnson & Johnson and emphasized the importance of people in driving innovation. She stated, "At the end of the day, success is about more than just the science—it's about the people who make innovation possible."

Rocket's Pipeline Progress and Regulatory Landscape

Chaudhuri's appointment comes at a critical juncture for Rocket Pharmaceuticals as the company navigates the regulatory pathway for its lead candidate, Kresladi. This gene therapy is being developed to treat severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I, a rare genetic disorder.

The regulatory journey for Kresladi has seen some challenges:

• Initial FDA submission in late 2023
• Review deadline extended to June 2024
• Complete Response Letter (CRL) received, requesting additional manufacturing information
• Ongoing FDA review of supplemental information

Rocket anticipates submitting a full biologics license application (BLA) for Kresladi this year to address the CRL. Meanwhile, the company is also advancing RP-L102, a gene therapy for Fanconi anemia, another rare genetic disorder. RP-L102 is currently under review in Europe, and Rocket has initiated a rolling BLA submission with the FDA, with the final submission expected later this year.

Industry Implications and Future Outlook

The appointment of Sarbani Chaudhuri and Rocket's progress with its gene therapy candidates underscore the growing importance of commercialization strategies in the rapidly evolving field of advanced therapeutics. As gene therapies move closer to market, companies are increasingly focusing on building robust commercial infrastructures to support successful launches and market penetration.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals' moves reflect a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry, where expertise in both scientific development and commercial strategy is becoming crucial for bringing innovative treatments to patients. The company's progress with Kresladi and RP-L102 also highlights the ongoing advancements in treating rare genetic disorders, an area of significant unmet medical need.