Ask Acumen

Zander Strange

Associate Vice President, Business Development

How long have you been with Acumen?

I started with Acumen in February of 2023, so I have been here for about 9 months.

What initially drew you to Acumen and our company’s mission?

The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer’s.

What is a significant accomplishment or project you’ve been involved in that made a difference in advancing Acumen’s vision?

I have been involved in capital raising to support our Phase 2/3 study and in establishing our partnership with Halozyme to license a technology that enables a subcutaneous formulation of ACU193.

Which of Acumen’s four values (People, Integrity, Innovation, and Perseverance) resonates most with your work and role?

Perseverance. Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials are not only extremely large and complex but also have historically experienced among the highest failure rates across indications.  In order to overcome these obstacles, raise capital, and consummate transactions to facilitate execution, perseverance is critical.

What excites you most about the work you do at Acumen?

Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases have been among the most difficult diseases to treat historically. However, with the recent approval of the first disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s, we’re on the cusp of a significant wave of transformative therapies.  I’m privileged to be a part of such an experienced team advancing a novel therapy, contributing to this wave to potentially improve the lives of millions of patients.

From your perspective, what sets our company apart in the field of Alzheimer’s research?

This ties into one of our four values: the People. Few companies have the experienced team who have specifically developed large-scale, late-stage, amyloid beta antibody therapies at previous companies and are able to bring that expertise and valuable perspective to Acumen.  More importantly, Acumen has wonderful people who are always supporting each other in pursuit of our mission.

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Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, and playing tennis & golf.