Design Therapeutics Appoints Justin Gover to Board of Directors
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN), a clinical-stage biotech company, has appointed Justin Gover to its Board of Directors. Gover brings over 25 years of biotech leadership experience, notably as the founding CEO of GW Pharmaceuticals, which he led to a $7 billion acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2021.
The appointment comes as Dr. Arsani William steps down from the Board. William, who joined in 2021, helped guide Design through its IPO and clinical pipeline advancement. Gover currently serves on the boards of Compass Pathways and Xenon Pharmaceuticals, bringing valuable experience in transforming innovative science into commercial medicines.
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN), una biotech clinica, ha nominato Justin Gover nel suo Consiglio di Amministrazione. Gover vanta oltre 25 anni di esperienza nella leadership biotecnologica, in particolare come CEO fondatore di GW Pharmaceuticals, che ha guidato fino a una acquisizione da 7 miliardi di dollari da parte di Jazz Pharmaceuticals nel 2021.
La nomina avviene mentre Dr. Arsani William si dimette dal Consiglio. William, entrato nel 2021, ha contribuito a guidare Design attraverso l’IPO e l’avanzamento del programma clinico. Gover siede attualmente nei consigli di Compass Pathways e Xenon Pharmaceuticals, portando esperienza nel trasformare scienza innovativa in farmaci commerciali.
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN), una biotecnológica en fase clínica, ha nombrado a Justin Gover en su Junta Directiva. Gover aporta más de 25 años de experiencia en liderazgo biotecnológico, destacando su papel como CEO fundador de GW Pharmaceuticals, a la que condujo hasta una adquisición de 7.000 millones de dólares por parte de Jazz Pharmaceuticals en 2021.
El nombramiento se produce cuando Dr. Arsani William deja la Junta. William, que se incorporó en 2021, ayudó a guiar a Design durante su salida a bolsa y el avance de su cartera clínica. Gover forma parte actualmente de los consejos de Compass Pathways y Xenon Pharmaceuticals, aportando experiencia en convertir ciencia innovadora en medicamentos comerciales.
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN)는 임상 단계의 바이오텍 기업으로서 Justin Gover를 이사회에 선임했습니다. Gover는 25년 이상의 바이오테크 리더십 경험을 보유하고 있으며, 특히 GW Pharmaceuticals의 창업 CEO로서 2021년 Jazz Pharmaceuticals에 의한 70억 달러 인수를 이끈 경력이 있습니다.
이번 임명은 Dr. Arsani William이 이사회에서 물러남에 따른 것입니다. William은 2021년에 합류하여 Design의 IPO 및 임상 파이프라인 진전에 기여했습니다. Gover는 현재 Compass Pathways와 Xenon Pharmaceuticals의 이사회에서 활동 중이며, 혁신적인 과학을 상용 의약품으로 전환하는 데 유용한 경험을 제공합니다.
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN), une société de biotechnologie en phase clinique, a nommé Justin Gover à son conseil d'administration. Gover possède plus de 25 ans d'expérience en direction dans la biotech, notamment en tant que PDG fondateur de GW Pharmaceuticals, qu'il a pilotée jusqu'à une acquisition de 7 milliards de dollars par Jazz Pharmaceuticals en 2021.
Cette nomination intervient alors que Dr. Arsani William quitte le conseil. William, qui a rejoint la société en 2021, a contribué à l'introduction en bourse de Design et à l'avancement de son portefeuille clinique. Gover siège actuellement aux conseils de Compass Pathways et Xenon Pharmaceuticals, apportant une expérience précieuse dans la transformation de la science innovante en médicaments commercialisables.
Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN), ein Biotech-Unternehmen in der klinischen Entwicklungsphase, hat Justin Gover in seinen Verwaltungsrat berufen. Gover bringt über 25 Jahre Leitungserfahrung in der Biotechnologie mit, insbesondere als Gründungs-CEO von GW Pharmaceuticals, das er bis zur 7‑Milliarden‑Dollar‑Übernahme durch Jazz Pharmaceuticals im Jahr 2021 führte.
Die Ernennung erfolgt, während Dr. Arsani William aus dem Vorstand ausscheidet. William, der 2021 beigetreten war, half Design beim Börsengang und beim Vorantreiben der klinischen Pipeline. Gover sitzt derzeit in den Aufsichtsräten von Compass Pathways und Xenon Pharmaceuticals und bringt Erfahrung darin mit, innovative Wissenschaft in marktfähige Arzneimittel zu überführen.
- Appointment of highly experienced biotech leader with proven track record of successful $7B company exit
- New director brings expertise in transforming scientific innovation into commercial products
- Addition of board member with experience in successful drug commercialization (Epidiolex)
- Departure of Dr. William who provided strategic guidance through IPO and early public company phase
CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Design Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSGN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for serious degenerative genetic diseases, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Justin Gover to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Mr. Gover has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology industry. He served as the founding Chief Executive Officer of GW Pharmaceuticals plc, guiding the company for over two decades, from inception through its strategic
As part of this transition, Dr. Arsani William, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Logos Capital, stepped down from the Board, effective September 9, 2025. Since joining in 2021, Dr. William has provided strategic counsel that has been instrumental to Design’s progress, including guiding the company through its successful 2021 initial public offering, supporting the advancement of its clinical pipeline, and strengthening its governance as a public company.
“Justin brings a deep understanding of our industry and a focus on executional excellence to the Board at this important time for Design,” said Pratik Shah, Ph.D., chairperson and chief executive officer of Design Therapeutics. “His proven ability to translate innovative science into important medicines, along with his experience building a world-class biotechnology company, will be invaluable as we advance our clinical pipeline. On behalf of the entire company and Board, I also want to thank Dr. William for his invaluable guidance and dedication to our mission through the years of his service.”
“It has been an honor to serve on Design’s Board during such an important stage of the company’s evolution,” said Dr. William. “I am proud of the meaningful progress the team has made in advancing the GeneTAC® platform and establishing a pipeline with the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for serious genetic diseases. I am confident the company is well-positioned to continue delivering on its mission and to make a lasting impact for patients.”
“I am privileged to join Design’s Board at such an exciting stage of the company’s growth,” said Mr. Gover. “Design’s platform has the potential to address the root cause of a wide range of severe genetic diseases, and I look forward to working with the team to help realize the promise of this important approach for patients.”
Mr. Gover currently serves on the boards of Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS) and Xenon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: XENE) in addition to his work with nonprofit organizations including the Rady Children’s Hospital Institute for Genomic Medicine and CURE Epilepsy. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Gover served on the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). He holds an M.B.A. from the INSEAD business school in France and a BSc (Hons) from Bristol University.
About Design Therapeutics
Design Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of therapies based on its platform of GeneTAC® gene targeted chimera small molecules. The company’s GeneTAC® molecules are designed to either dial up or dial down the expression of a specific disease-causing gene to address the underlying cause of disease. In addition to its clinical-stage GeneTAC® programs, DT-216P2, in development for patients with Friedreich ataxia, and DT-168, for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, the company is advancing programs in myotonic dystrophy type-1 and Huntington’s disease. Discovery efforts are underway for multiple genomic medicines. For more information, please visit designtx.com.
Contact:
Renee Leck
THRUST Strategic Communications
renee@thrustsc.com
FAQ
Who is Justin Gover and why did Design Therapeutics (DSGN) appoint him to the board?
What is Design Therapeutics' (DSGN) main business focus?
Who did Justin Gover replace on Design Therapeutics' board?
What other board positions does Justin Gover currently hold?
