Libra Therapeutics, Inc., a private biotechnology company pioneering novel disease-modifying therapeutics designed to restore cellular homeostasis and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the promotion of Martin (Marty) Gill, Ph.D., to Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Gill, who previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of Research, has been a driving force in shaping Libra’s research vision and advancing its therapeutic programs focused on autophagy and lysosomal biology.
In his new role as CSO, Dr. Gill will continue to oversee Libra’s scientific strategy, guiding the discovery and development of small molecule therapies aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases with high unmet medical need, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). His leadership will remain pivotal in advancing the company’s research programs toward clinical success and ultimately transforming the treatment landscape for patients living with these debilitating conditions.
A Scientific Leader Driving Libra’s Vision
“Marty has been the scientific beacon guiding Libra’s research programs from the earliest stages of the company’s inception,” said Shawn A. Scranton, Pharm.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Libra Therapeutics. “His deep understanding of neurodegenerative disease biology and his leadership across discovery and development teams have been critical to the rapid advancement of our TRPML1 program. Our first development candidate successfully completed IND-enabling studies in 2025, and our second candidate remains on track to complete IND-enabling activities in 2026. This promotion reflects Marty’s exceptional scientific rigor, long-standing dedication, and the significant impact he has had on Libra’s growth and momentum.”
Dr. Gill has played a central role in driving Libra’s scientific innovation and translational success, helping to shape a research organization that bridges fundamental biology with therapeutic development. Under his leadership, Libra has developed a robust pipeline of small molecule therapeutics targeting cellular mechanisms that are disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those involved in protein homeostasis, lysosomal function, and autophagy regulation.
Commitment to Transforming Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
“I’m honored to step into the role of Chief Scientific Officer at Libra,” said Dr. Gill. “Libra’s mission to deliver truly disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disorders aligns with my professional passion and personal motivation. I’m thrilled to continue leading our talented scientific team as we work to translate groundbreaking biology into meaningful treatments for patients affected by ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and related conditions.”
Dr. Gill’s scientific philosophy emphasizes restoring balance in disrupted cellular systems, an approach that lies at the core of Libra’s therapeutic platform. By focusing on the molecular pathways that control the degradation and clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins, Libra aims to address the root causes of neurodegenerative disease progression, rather than merely treating symptoms.
A Proven Track Record in Neurodegeneration Research
Since joining Libra in 2021, Dr. Gill has been instrumental in advancing the company’s small molecule discovery programs from high-throughput screening into preclinical and clinical development. His efforts have helped establish Libra as a leader in targeting autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction, two key mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Before joining Libra, Dr. Gill served as Head of In Vitro Discovery at Neuropore Therapies, where he led research efforts to identify small molecule mechanisms that reduce central nervous system inflammation and mitigate protein pathology associated with ALS and Parkinson’s disease. His work at Neuropore contributed to the advancement of drug candidates targeting misfolded proteins such as alpha-synuclein — a hallmark of PD pathology — and provided valuable insights into how small molecules can modulate neuroinflammatory and proteostatic pathways.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Gill worked at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he directed programs focused on genetically defined neurodegenerative diseases and pathogenic mechanisms underlying neuronal loss. Throughout his tenure in both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology settings, he has demonstrated a unique ability to translate complex neurobiology into actionable therapeutic strategies, guiding teams from discovery through preclinical development with scientific precision and strategic foresight.
Dr. Gill earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and his B.A. from the University of Missouri–Columbia. He completed postdoctoral fellowships at both Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Eli Lilly and Company, where he refined his expertise in neuroscience, molecular pharmacology, and translational research.
Driving Libra’s Next Phase of Growth
Under Dr. Gill’s leadership, Libra has made significant strides in building a diversified portfolio of small molecule therapeutics that modulate autophagy and lysosomal pathways — biological systems critical for maintaining cellular health and preventing toxic protein accumulation. These mechanisms are increasingly recognized as central to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, PD, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Libra’s lead TRPML1 program, which targets a lysosomal ion channel essential for cellular waste processing, represents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Following the completion of IND-enabling studies for its first candidate in 2025, the company is now advancing a second TRPML1-targeting compound, expected to complete IND-enabling activities in 2026. These milestones underscore Libra’s commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of innovative, mechanism-driven therapies that address core disease biology.
About Libra Therapeutics
Libra Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to developing disease-modifying therapies that restore cellular balance and halt or reverse the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The company’s discovery engine is centered on identifying small molecule modulators that target autophagy, lysosomal function, and protein degradation pathways, offering a novel therapeutic approach to conditions characterized by toxic protein accumulation and cellular stress.
By combining deep expertise in neuroscience with advanced chemical biology and pharmacology, Libra aims to bring new hope to patients suffering from ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr. Gill’s promotion to Chief Scientific Officer marks a pivotal moment in Libra’s evolution. His continued leadership will guide the company’s research as it transitions more programs into clinical development and expands its impact on the field of neurodegeneration. With a strong foundation of scientific excellence and a mission rooted in restoring cellular homeostasis, Libra Therapeutics is poised to advance a new generation of precision therapeutics that could fundamentally change the way neurodegenerative diseases are treated.
