News and Events Category: Blog

2021 was a year of growth and transformational change at Aria Pharmaceuticals. In recognition of our continued evolution, we announced a rebrand to a new name that reflects the artistry and complexity that defines how our company and scientific teams approach medicine, from discovery to clinical research to FDA approval, while always keeping the science our number one priority.
Since we have now rebranded twoXAR Pharmaceuticals as Aria Pharmaceuticals, I’m often asked “Why that name?” The dictionary defines the word “aria” as a long musical piece typically written for a solo voice with orchestral accompaniment in an opera, a theatrical work which combines drama, music, song and dance. You might be wondering, what does drug discovery and development have to do with opera?
I recently authored an article in Life Science Leader discussing my own misperceptions and preconceived notions about applying AI to an extremely challenging and complex process, drug discovery. Like many, my 30-year career in pharmaceuticals was rooted in the tried-and-true methodology of the traditional R&D process, with wins few and far between. But my dissatisfaction for the lengthy and often unsuccessful process to bring new molecules to market reached a heightened sense of urgency in 2017 when I started consulting for twoXAR and realized there might be a better way. I wanted to take a moment here and share what exactly drove me to the conviction I now have.
Without a doubt, 2020 has been a trying year. The pandemic has touched every business and every human on earth in different ways. And despite all of its tragic outcomes, it has starkly reminded me that we work in one of the most exciting and innovative industries in the world — the life sciences industry.