Philadelphia, PA – October 14, 2025 — Cabaletta Bio (Nasdaq: CABA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing engineered T cell therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases, has announced the appointment of Steve Gavel as Chief Commercial Officer. Gavel will lead the company’s commercial strategy and execution for rese-cel (resecabtagene autoleucel), Cabaletta’s lead product candidate, as the company advances toward its first planned Biologics License Application (BLA) submission in 2027 for myositis.
Cabaletta’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Steven Nichtberger, M.D., said the appointment reflects a critical milestone in the company’s evolution toward commercialization. “Steve is an outstanding leader with a track record of success launching and commercializing cellular therapies. His extensive cell therapy experience will enhance our efforts to maximize the value of rese-cel for patients, payers and providers,” Nichtberger said. “We are confident Steve’s leadership will attract a world-class team to prepare for and to execute the potential launch of rese-cel.”
Gavel brings more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Global Cell Therapy Commercial Development at Legend Biotech. During his seven-year tenure, he was instrumental in developing the global commercial infrastructure and launch strategy for CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), the company’s first commercial CAR T product for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson. His prior roles include commercial leadership positions at Celgene (now Bristol Myers Squibb), Takeda, Johnson & Johnson, and Immunex. Gavel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Business Administration from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Reflecting on his new role, Gavel said, “I am honored to join the team at Cabaletta as the company moves into the next phase of growth with an enhanced focus on commercial planning, development and execution. With a planned first BLA submission for myositis in 2027, I look forward to drawing on my previous experience with successful CAR T launches, building robust commercial foundations and teams that can scale quickly with success and provide enduring value to all stakeholders in my role.”
As part of his appointment, Gavel received an inducement equity grant approved under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The award consists of non-qualified stock options to purchase 275,000 shares of Cabaletta’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.49 per share, the closing price on October 13, 2025. The options have a 10-year term and vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the remaining 75% vesting in equal quarterly installments thereafter.
A Strategic Step Toward Commercialization
Gavel’s appointment marks a pivotal point for Cabaletta Bio as it transitions from a clinical-stage innovator to a company preparing for its first commercial launch. His deep expertise in cell therapy commercialization and infrastructure building positions Cabaletta to navigate the complex logistics, reimbursement, and stakeholder coordination that come with pioneering T cell therapies for autoimmune diseases.
As BioBuzz continues to track biotech companies that bridge the gap between innovation and market readiness, Cabaletta’s move underscores a growing trend: the need for experienced commercial leadership early in the lifecycle of next-generation therapies.
