SINGAPORE & PARIS & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 7, 2026--
Nuevocor, a global biotechnology company, today announced the appointment of Al Gianchetti as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board of Directors. Nuevocor develops novel therapies for patients suffering from life-threatening cardiomyopathies, who currently have no effective treatments. Nuevocor’s science addresses the underlying aberrant mechanobiology that drives the progress of disease. Al Gianchetti’s deep expertise in cardiovascular disease and gene therapies, combined with his proven ability to raise capital and to lead biotech companies through clinical development, uniquely positions him as an instrumental leader for the Nuevocor team and strengthens the company’s ability to transform treatment for cardiomyopathies.
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“This is an important year for Nuevocor as we enter clinical trials and expand our operations in the U.S. and Europe, so we are pleased to announce Nuevocor is strengthening the leadership team with the addition of Al Gianchetti, an industry experienced CEO with a strong track record,” said Andreas Wallnoefer, Executive Chairman and previous Acting CEO. “With his deep, relevant experience, strong network in the industry and with leading clinical centers and KOLs, Al is an excellent choice as CEO as he will further accelerate the growth of our company. His capability and recognized leadership in cardiac gene therapy will be catalytic to champion Nuevocor as we aim to deliver life-saving treatments for patients in need with rare and aggressive cardiomyopathies.”
Al Gianchetti joins Nuevocor with more than 30 years of drug development and commercialization experience, with a specialized focus on cardiovascular and metabolic therapies. For the last 10 years, he served as President and CEO of XyloCor Therapeutics, where he oversaw major clinical milestones, secured significant Series B investment and advanced its gene therapy programs for patients with cardiovascular disease into late- stage clinical development. Prior to this role, Al Gianchetti held executive positions at GSK and leadership roles at small biotech and specialty pharma. He brings extensive experience in biotech leadership, fundraising and business development, commercial strategy and R&D.
“It is both an honor and privilege to join Nuevocor as CEO and member of the Board of Directors at this pivotal time of initiating our first clinical trial with NVC-001 for dilated cardiomyopathy. The science behind our innovative mechanobiology-based approach goes far beyond traditional gene replacement therapy and positions Nuevocor at the forefront of a new generation of genetic medicine companies,” said Al Gianchetti. “The potential of this platform to transform care for patients with rare cardiomyopathies - and unlock broader applications - could redefine the future of cardiovascular and genetic medicine.”
About NVC-001
NVC-001 is a first-in-class, gene therapy for the treatment of LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (LMNA DCM), one of the most aggressive forms of DCM with a rapid progression toward end-stage heart failure and malignant ventricular arrhythmias associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death. NVC-001 is designed to reduce forces to the nucleus to restore nuclear envelope integrity, a hallmark of LMNA DCM, and treat disease. In preclinical studies, treatment with NVC-001 demonstrated significant benefits, including survival and cardiac function. Nuevocor plans to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in early 2026, with sites in the U.S. and Europe.
About Nuevocor
Nuevocor is a biotechnology company developing novel therapies for genetic cardiomyopathies driven by aberrant mechanobiology, headquartered in Singapore with offices in the U.S. and Europe. In 2025, Nuevocor closed a US$50 million financing from Kurma Partners, Angelini Ventures, EDBI, ClavystBio, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Coronet Ventures and Highlight Capital. Our unique approach, enabled by our proprietary PrOSIA mechanobiology platform, surpasses the limitations of traditional gene replacement therapy – which treats individual gene mutations – to treating defects in shared disease pathways across multiple cardiomyopathies by addressing the functional root cause of disease. Nuevocor is first-in-disease by addressing genetic cardiomyopathies that are not amendable to gene replacement therapy and have no effective treatment options. ( www.nuevocor.com )
Al Gianchetti CEO, Nuevocor Therapeutics, Inc.
NEW DELHI (AP) — Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party, an online joke that drew millions across India, gathered for the first time in the national capital on Saturday, taking the social media movement off screens and into its biggest real-world test yet.
The protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, marks the movement’s first foray into street politics after weeks of dominating social media feeds and news headlines, attracting millions of online followers and widespread support among young Indians.
Hundreds of mostly young Indians gathered in the heart of New Delhi’s protest zone near Parliament, some with placards and cockroach masks. How many ultimately would join remained unclear, making the event an early test of whether the movement can channel its online popularity into a broader grassroots support around growing frustration among young Indians over education, jobs and economic prospects.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement, arrived in the capital from the U.S. on Saturday to participate in the protest. Police laid steel barricades at arrivals at New Delhi's international airport.
Dipke said in a social media post that police granted permission to the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, to hold the protest, saying, “Cockroaches gather at Jantar Mantar.”
CJP organizers used social media to rally supporters for Saturday’s march, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demand grew out of an exam irregularity controversy in May that quickly became a broader outlet for frustration over India’s education system and limited job opportunities.
Supporters chanted slogans including, “Cockroaches are coming, Dharmendra Pradhan is going!”
Participants were encouraged to bring India’s national flag and a book, which organizers said symbolized right to education and equal opportunity for all. Organizers also urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid any confrontations with police.
“Time to turn this tiny joke into a revolution,” the official CJP account on X posted Friday.
The CJP emerged only three weeks ago to become an unlikely outlet for discontent among supporters who proudly call themselves “cockroaches.”
India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant likened critics and some unemployed youth to cockroaches during a May hearing, sparking backlash among frustrated young Indians. Dipke, a political communications strategist and Boston University student, used the insult as inspiration for a parody political party. Within a week of launching a website and social media accounts, CJP's Instagram page had amassed more than 15 million followers.
The party has turned the cockroach into a wry badge of endurance and political articulation. Videos and memes lampooning unemployment, corruption and political dysfunction have drawn millions of views online. Parody CJP accounts also have adopted the cockroach as a political symbol and use memes, mock campaign slogans and satirical commentary.
The movement’s tongue-in-cheek messaging blends self-deprecating humor with political criticism. Supporters jokingly describe themselves as unemployed, perpetually online and shut out of meaningful influence. Beneath the humor lies a broader criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, as CJP supporters argue that ordinary Indians, particularly young people, have been left with fewer opportunities.
Young people in India make up more than a quarter of the population but face limited job opportunities, rising unemployment and growing disillusionment with traditional politics. Many young voters also are critical of Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, citing concerns over rising religious polarization, widening inequality and mounting economic pressures.
The movement's skeptics, particularly supporters of Modi’s party, dismiss the phenomenon as little more than a social-media gimmick. They argue the movement’s online popularity may not translate into street mobilization and that its rapid rise is likely fleeting.
The group's rise echoes a similar trend across South Asia of youth movements born out of social media playing a central role in anti-government protests, including uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and unrest in Nepal.
The movement still faces significant hurdles. Over the past decade, Indian authorities under Modi have sought to stamp out protests against his government, including demonstrations against a controversial citizenship legislation and yearlong farmers' protests.
Some protest movements also have faced legal action against organizers and activist arrests, which is part of what critics describe as a broader effort by authorities under Modi to suppress dissent.
Associated Press journalist Shonal Ganguly in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Abhijeet Dipke, center, founder of Cockroach Janta Party shows the autobiography of Bhim Rao Ambedkar as he comes out at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Saurabh Das, center, spokesperson of Cockroach Janta Party waits for the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of CJP at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Abhijeet Dipke, center, founder of Cockroach Janta Party shows the autobiography of Bhim Rao Ambedkar as he comes out at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Abhijeet Dipke founder of Cockroach Janta Party shows the autobiography of Bhim Rao Ambedkar as he comes out at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Security personnel stand guard before the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
