Former Abbott executive Mary Szela joins Absci’s board of directors

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Absci Corporation (NASDAQ:ABSI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on AI-designed therapeutics with a market capitalization of $353 million, announced Monday the appointment of Mary Szela to its Board of Directors. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 5.72, indicating robust short-term financial health.

Szela, who previously led the U.S. launch and global expansion of Humira during her tenure at Abbott Laboratories, brings three decades of commercial and clinical leadership experience to Absci’s board. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of TriSalus Life Sciences.

Her board experience includes service with Prometheus Biosciences, which was acquired by Merck for $10.8 billion, as well as positions with Kura Oncology and Novo Nordisk.

"She joins us as we accelerate potentially category-defining programs like ABS-201 for androgenetic alopecia, and grow our pipeline of AI-designed biologics," said Sean McClain, Founder and CEO of Absci, in a press release statement.

Absci is currently developing several AI-designed pipeline programs, including ABS-101, an anti-TL1A antibody for inflammatory bowel disease with Phase 1 interim data expected later this year. The company is also advancing ABS-201, an anti-prolactin receptor antibody for androgenetic alopecia, which is anticipated to enter clinical trials in early 2026.

Szela received both her B.S. in Nursing and MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Absci uses what it calls an Integrated Drug Creation platform that combines AI models with synthetic biology to design therapeutic candidates. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, with additional facilities in New York City and Switzerland.

In other recent news, Absci Corp reported its Q1 2025 earnings, revealing a revenue of $1.2 million and an increase in research and development expenses to $16.4 million. The company also announced its transition to a clinical-stage biotech firm, marked by the initiation of its first-in-human clinical trial for ABS-101. Absci’s cash reserves have increased to $134 million, extending its financial runway into 2027. Morgan Stanley has initiated coverage on Absci with an Overweight rating, indicating a positive outlook for the company. The firm noted Absci’s active discussions with potential partners for ABS-101, which could provide non-dilutive capital. Absci is also focusing on AI-driven drug discovery and potential pharma partnerships, aiming to establish one or more drug creation collaborations within the year. The company plans to release interim data for ABS-101 in the second half of 2025, which is expected to be a significant milestone. Additionally, Absci is advancing other programs like ABS-201 for hair regrowth, with first-in-human studies anticipated in early 2026.

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