ReCode Therapeutics, which is developing inhaled mRNA therapies, announced that Heather Clark will succeed Shehnaaz Suliman as the company’s CEO, with Suliman becoming executive chair of the board. Clark joined ReCode in 2022 and has been Senior VP and Head of the CF Franchise since 2024. Her previous experience includes almost 22 years at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where she managed programs for a number of CF therapies,
The company also said that it has received additional funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation but did not provide any details beyond saying that it would “support ReCode’s collaboration with a leading gene editing company.” In September 2025, ReCode announced that the CFF would provide an additional $3 million for development of the company’s RCT2100 inhaled mRNA therapy for CF, bringing the foundation’s total investment to $33 million.
The FDA granted orphan drug designation to RCT2100 for the treatment of CF in patients who do not benefit from CFTR modulators in March 2025. According to the announcement, RCT2100 also received Fast Track designation earlier this year. A Phase 2 trial of nebulized RCT2100 in CF patients is currently underway. ReCode is also developing an inhaled mRNA therapy, RCT1100, for the treatment of primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Suliman commented, “We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and are excited to initiate this collaboration focused on advancing the frontier of genetic medicine for cystic fibrosis patients. Heather brings decades of outstanding leadership and deep expertise in cystic fibrosis drug development, positioning her well to lead ReCode’s gene editing initiatives with this partner and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We are very excited to work with a premier gene editing partner to advance our efforts on behalf of cystic fibrosis patients. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Heather and the board to execute our strategy.”
Clark said, “I have devoted my professional career to developing treatments for cystic fibrosis, and I am honored to lead ReCode at a moment of such promise for the patients we serve. We continue to make progress with the RCT2100 program, an inhaled mRNA therapy for cystic fibrosis. The Phase 2a study is ongoing with data expected in Q4, which will guide next steps for the program. Introducing gene editing adds another powerful path to develop therapies for patients still underserved by existing treatments. I am grateful to the board for their confidence, and I am excited to work with the CF Foundation and a leading gene editing company to build on the strong foundation we have established.”
Read the ReCode Therapeutics press release
