Aardvark Therapeutics adds biostatistics veteran David Zhang to board
Aardvark named David Zhang, who led biometrics work behind CAMZYOS and Abivax's ulcerative colitis trials, as an independent director effective October 7, 2026.
Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. announced on October 8, 2026 that its board of directors had appointed David (Zhongwei) Zhang, Ph.D., MBA, as a Class II director effective October 7, 2026, according to the company's 8-K filing. The board took this action on October 6, 2026.1 Dr. Zhang will serve as an independent director.1
Dr. Zhang, age 58, has more than 25 years of experience designing clinical programs, analyzing pivotal trial data and supporting regulatory submissions.1 He currently holds the role of Chief Strategy Officer at Abivax S.A., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on therapeutics for chronic inflammatory diseases, a position he has held since July 2024.1 In that role, he sits on the Executive Committee overseeing biometrics, regulatory affairs, quality assurance and health economics and outcomes research, and led the biometrics team through positive topline results from two Phase 3 trials of obefazimod in ulcerative colitis.1
Before Abivax, Dr. Zhang spent March 2021 to July 2024 as Senior Vice President, Head of Biometrics and Data Management at Alumis Inc., where he built out the biometrics and data management operations as a founding executive, served as interim Chief Information Officer, and worked on the company's initial public offering.1 Earlier still, he was Vice President, Head of Biometrics, Data Science and Digital Health at MyoKardia, Inc., where he managed the pivotal trial design and the New Drug Application process for CAMZYOS (mavacamten) in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ahead of MyoKardia's 2020 acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb.1
On compensation, Dr. Zhang will receive $40,000 per year in cash under the company's non-employee director program, prorated for his service period.1 He was also granted a stock option valued at $500,000 based on grant-date fair value, vesting in equal monthly installments over 36 months contingent on continued board service.1 That option would vest in full if a change in control occurs during his board tenure.1
The filing states Zhang has no family relationships with other directors or officers, was not appointed under any arrangement with another party, and has no related-party transactions reportable under SEC rules.1
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