Aligos Therapeutics Strengthens Senior Leadership Team with the Appointment of James Hassard as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
Aligos (Nasdaq: ALGS) appointed James Hassard, MBA as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer effective January 13, 2026. Mr. Hassard will build and lead Aligos' global commercial capabilities and join the senior leadership team as the company plans for late‑stage development of pevifoscorvir sodium while progressing the Phase 2 B‑SUPREME study. He previously served as chief commercial officer at Crinetics and Arrowhead and held roles at Coherus Oncology, Amgen and Merck, with global experience in the US, Canada and Europe. Hassard holds a BSc in Pharmacology (University of Toronto) and an MBA (Nova Southeastern University).
Positive
- Appointment effective January 13, 2026
- Will lead global commercial capabilities and readiness
- Prior CCO roles at Crinetics and Arrowhead with launch experience
- Global market experience in US, Canada and Europe
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, ALGS gained 6.08%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 5 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $3M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $58M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ALGS fell 3.22% while peers were mixed: BYSI rose 7.79%, but IGMS, ACET, CVM and ENTX declined between 1.87% and 8.56%. This points to stock‑specific dynamics rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12 | Inducement grants | Neutral | +15.5% | Stock options granted to new hires under 2024 Inducement Plan. |
| Dec 11 | Clinical data update | Positive | +1.6% | Positive HEP-DART data for pevifoscorvir and obesity candidate ALG-055009. |
| Nov 14 | Inducement grants | Neutral | +9.7% | Equity awards to new employees under Nasdaq inducement rule. |
| Nov 10 | Clinical data update | Positive | -2.6% | Strong Phase 1 HBV suppression data and preclinical mechanistic findings. |
| Nov 06 | Earnings and update | Neutral | -3.1% | Q3 2025 results, cash runway into Q3 2026, and B-SUPREME progress. |
Recent news—data updates, earnings, and routine equity awards—has more often seen price gains or modest moves, with one notable selloff on positive clinical data.
Over the last few months, Aligos has balanced financial extension with clinical progress. A February PIPE and subsequent filings supported liquidity highlighted in the Nov 6, 2025 Q3 report, even as the company remained pre-commercial with a $31.5M quarterly net loss. Multiple presentations in Nov–Dec 2025 showcased positive clinical and preclinical data for pevifoscorvir sodium and other programs. Routine inducement grants in Nov and Dec 2025 signaled ongoing hiring. Today’s senior commercial appointment fits the pattern of building infrastructure around advancing HBV assets.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +6.1% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’s recent emphasis on advancing pevifoscorvir sodium toward late-stage development and strengthening its organization. Prior news showed investors responding to both clinical progress and hiring activity. However, regulatory filings highlighted ongoing losses and finite cash runway, so enthusiasm around leadership upgrades could face constraints if future financing needs re-emerge or if clinical timelines in the B-SUPREME program extend.
Key Terms
phase 2 medical
chronic hepatitis b virus infection medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Seasoned leader with global commercialization and marketing expertise
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aligos”, Nasdaq: ALGS), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patient outcomes through best-in-class therapies for liver and viral diseases, today announced the appointment of James Hassard, MBA as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Hassard will lead and build the Company’s global commercial capabilities and serve as a member of Aligos’ Senior Leadership Team. Mr. Hassard is a seasoned executive with extensive experience building commercial organizations across multiple therapeutic areas.
“As we continue to progress the Phase 2 B-SUPREME study of pevifoscorvir sodium, we have begun planning for the future and how best to bring this therapy to patients. I am excited to welcome Jim to Aligos as our Chief Commercial Officer who will spearhead our commercial readiness efforts,” said Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Aligos Therapeutics. “This is an important role for Aligos as we approach late-stage development. Bringing Jim on is another step closer to our vision of delivering better outcomes for patients in need.”
“I am thrilled to join Aligos as the company progresses towards late-stage development,” stated Jim Hassard, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer at Aligos. “This is an exciting time for the chronic hepatitis B virus infection field, as next-generation therapies are closer to helping patients in need of better options. I look forward to building the necessary global commercial infrastructure to position pevifoscorvir sodium for future success.”
Prior to joining Aligos, Jim was Chief Commercial Officer at Crinetics Pharmaceuticals and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals where he built the commercial capabilities and launch strategies for more than four rare disease programs. Earlier in his career, Mr. Hassard held positions of increasing responsibility at Coherus Oncology, Amgen, and Merck, launching multiple pharmaceutical products in therapeutic areas including hepatitis, oncology, and nephrology. He has global experience in the United States, Canada and Europe, including as general manager of Amgen Portugal. Mr. Hassard earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
About Aligos
Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGS) is a clinical stage biotechnology company founded with the mission to improve patient outcomes by developing best-in-class therapies for the treatment of liver and viral diseases. Aligos applies its science driven approach and deep R&D expertise to advance its purpose-built pipeline of therapeutics for high unmet medical needs such as chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and coronaviruses.
For more information, please visit www.aligos.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be considered “forward-looking statements,” including without limitation, statements regarding Aligos’ research, development and commercial activities, including the potential success of clinical trials, regulatory approval and product launches. Such forward looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our development programs, future results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including Aligos’ clinical-stage of development, the process of designing and conducting clinical trials, the regulatory approval processes, and other matters that could affect the sufficiency of Aligos’ capital resources to fund operations. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Aligos in general, see Aligos’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2025 and its future periodic reports to be filed or submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Aligos undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Aligos Therapeutics
Contact
Jordyn Tarazi
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
+1 (650) 910-0427
jtarazi@aligos.com
Media Contact
Inizio Evoke
Jake Robison
Vice President
Jake.Robison@inzioevoke.com
FAQ
Who is the new Chief Commercial Officer of Aligos (ALGS) and when did they start?
What will James Hassard's role at Aligos (ALGS) involve?
How does the ALGS leadership change relate to pevifoscorvir sodium development?
What relevant experience does the new ALGS CCO have in the biopharma industry?
Does James Hassard have international commercial experience relevant to Aligos (ALGS)?
