Highlights

  • Spero appoints Amy Rock as Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer.
  • The company names Dae Gon Ha Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.
  • Spero confirms Timothy Keutzer will retire on December 31, 2026.
  • The appointments support SP001 development and pipeline expansion efforts.

Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPRO) is reshaping its leadership team as it advances an immunology-focused development strategy. The clinical-stage biotechnology company has appointed Amy Rock, Ph.D., to lead regulatory and quality functions and Dae Gon Ha, Ph.D., to head corporate development. At the same time, long-serving Chief Operating Officer Timothy Keutzer is preparing to retire at year-end.

Two Appointments Strengthen the Team

Amy Rock joins as Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer, taking responsibility for global regulatory strategy, quality and pharmacovigilance. Her remit includes engagement with health authorities supporting development of SP001 in IgG4-related disease and potentially other indications.

Dae Gon Ha joins as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. He will lead investor relations strategy, business development and the evaluation of opportunities to expand Spero’s immunology pipeline. The appointments follow the recent addition of Debra Zack as Chief Medical Officer.

Experience Spans Regulation and Transactions

Rock brings more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience. She most recently led global regulatory activities at Vir Biotechnology, including work involving the GSK-partnered antibody sotrovimab. Her earlier roles included leadership positions at ImmunityBio, Altor BioScience and Cumberland Pharmaceuticals.

Ha brings more than nine years of biotechnology equities research experience alongside business development work. He most recently led strategy and business development at Fulcrum Therapeutics, where his responsibilities included strategic planning and licensing initiatives. He previously worked in biotechnology research at Stifel, BTIG and Leerink Partners.

An Eleven-Year Tenure Nears Its Close

Timothy Keutzer will retire as Chief Operating Officer effective December 31, 2026, after 11 years at Spero. His tenure included building operational capabilities and advancing Utebzi, or tebipenem pivoxil, through clinical and regulatory milestones. The program subsequently received FDA approval and was partnered with GSK.

Other members of the executive leadership team will assume Keutzer’s responsibilities after his retirement. Spero’s lead development program, SP001, is a third-generation Fc-silent anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody initially targeting IgG4-related disease. The company is also evaluating potential development in other immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions.