Chiasma taps a new CEO as it rolls toward an FDA filing

Fresh off raising $70 million in venture cash, Israeli-American biotech Chiasma has recruited a new CEO to lead the next phase of its operations. Mark Leuchtenberger, a 25-year biopharma veteran, will take the reins from Roni Mamluk, who will stick around as chief development officer as the company prepares to file its lead drug next quarter. Chiasma's top prospect is oral octreotide, a treatment for the hormone disorder acromegaly that the company believes can unseat standard injectable therapies. Leuchtenberger previously led Acusphere, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Targanta Therapeutics and Therion Biologics, and he served a 6-year stint at Biogen Idec ($BIIB), overseeing the launch of the blockbuster Avonex. More