On May 4, 2026 Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapies for solid tumors designed to preserve organ function, reported that its Board of Directors has appointed Natalie Holles as Chief Executive Officer and President and member of the Board of Directors, effective April 30, 2026. Ms. Holles succeeds Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D., the Company’s founder, who stepped down from her roles as Chief Executive Officer and President and member of the Board of Directors on the same date.
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The Company also announced that its Phase 3 CoMpass trial with its investigational candidate belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar) for the treatment of early choroidal melanoma is nearing enrollment completion. As of today, 86 patients have been enrolled in the study, and more than 25 additional patients have been scheduled or identified for screening through May 2026. With this update, the Company reiterates its guidance to enrollment completion by mid-2026 and topline data from the CoMpass trial in the second half of 2027.
"I am thrilled to join Aura to lead the Company through this next phase of its growth, including Phase 3 trial completion and the potential registration and commercial launch of bel-sar," said Ms. Holles. "With the potential to bring the first frontline, vision-preserving therapy to patients with early choroidal melanoma, I believe the Company is very well-positioned for meaningful value creation for our patients and shareholders. I look forward to working with this talented team to advance our work toward realizing the full clinical and commercial potential of bel-sar."
"We are delighted to welcome Natalie as CEO at this important moment for Aura," said David Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aura Biosciences. "Natalie brings significant experience across late-stage development, operations, and rare disease commercialization, making her exceptionally well-suited to lead Aura as we near completion of enrollment in our Phase 3 CoMpass trial and prepare for potential commercialization. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Elisabet for her leadership and vision in founding Aura and advancing the Company to this critical point."
"It has truly been a privilege to found and lead Aura from the ground up and to work alongside such an extraordinary team," said Dr. de los Pinos. "I am deeply proud of what we have built together—advancing innovation in oncology, our commitment to patients and the field of ocular oncology, and bringing the CoMpass trial to this important stage. As the Company moves into its next phase, I am excited to see it continue to grow and thrive under Natalie’s leadership."
Ms. Holles has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning corporate strategy, business development, operations and commercialization across multiple therapeutic areas. Prior to joining Aura, Ms. Holles served as Chief Executive Officer of Third Harmonic Bio from August 2021 through December 2025. Before that, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Audentes Therapeutics, which was acquired by Astellas Pharma in 2020. She joined Audentes as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2015, was an instrumental architect of the Company’s GMP viral vector manufacturing capabilities and was subsequently promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2018, and
then to Chief Executive Officer in 2020. Earlier in her career, Ms. Holles served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Hyperion Therapeutics, which was acquired by Horizon Pharma in 2015, and as Vice President of Business Development at KAI Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Amgen in 2012. Ms. Holles holds an A.B. in Human Biology from Stanford University and an M.A. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
About Bel- sar and Aura’s Ongoing Phase 3 CoMpass Trial in Early Choroidal Melanoma: CoMpass is the first registration-enabling study in early choroidal melanoma. This global, randomized Phase 3 trial is evaluating bel-sar versus a sham control. As of today, 86 patients have been enrolled in the trial and over 25 patients are scheduled or identified for screening through May 2026. The Company continues to expect to complete enrollment by mid-2026, with topline data for the 15-month primary endpoint anticipated in the second half of 2027.
Bel-sar has the potential to become the first frontline vision-preserving therapy in this setting. The Company previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency and Fast Track designation from the FDA for the treatment of early choroidal melanoma. The CoMpass trial is under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the FDA.
(Press release, Aura Biosciences, MAY 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234665045])