Alan Russell, Ph.D., serves as Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Edgewise Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing precision therapeutics for muscle diseases. In this role, he directs the company's scientific strategy, overseeing discovery, preclinical development, and clinical programs targeting conditions such as facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and Becker muscular dystrophy. His leadership has propelled Edgewise's lead candidate, sevasemten (EDG-5506), into Phase 2 clinical trials, demonstrating his expertise in translating muscle biology insights into transformative therapies. With over 25 years of experience in skeletal muscle research and drug development, Dr. Russell previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Research at Acceleron Pharma, where he built and led the muscle franchise, advancing ACE-083 through Phase 2 trials for FSHD. Earlier, he contributed to muscle and pulmonary programs at Myogen, Inc., prior to its acquisition. Dr. Russell earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Florida, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Russell's achievements include authoring over 50 peer-reviewed publications, securing numerous patents, and pioneering research on muscle hypertrophy pathways and dystrophic mechanisms. His work has been pivotal in identifying novel targets for muscle-wasting disorders, earning him recognition as a thought leader in neuromuscular therapeutics and positioning Edgewise at the forefront of muscle disease innovation.