Against all odds, Ayla Annac, the CEO and president of InvivoSciences, Inc., embarked on a path that seemed impossible for a female immigrant entrepreneur. Her journey began with a powerful dream, fueled by a personal tragedy when her father died of heart failure 33 years ago. “This tragedy served as the catalyst for her determination to contribute to precision heart failure drug development,” said her staff. “In 2001, she took the first courageous step on her hero’s journey when she met her scientific co-founders, Dr. Tetsuro Wakatsuki and Dr. Elliot Elson.”
She diligently worked on every aspect of a business plan that resulted in the launch of InvivoSciences, Inc., a pre-clinical-stage biotech company developing therapies for cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. “The future of work at our company is driven by a commitment to adaptability, innovation and the cultivation of a workforce equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Annac.
Over the past three years, the company has embarked on a journey of growth. “We focused on developing precision therapies for cardiometabolic diseases using our innovative patented platform technology, Kokordia™, that has been the driving force behind our success,” said Annac. “We have also developed three human heart disease models and integrated artificial intelligence into the Kokordia™ platform.”
The work of Annac and her team has led to providing contract research services to the US Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Health and academic laboratories. One of the most significant achievements has been the identification of IVS201, a groundbreaking drug candidate designed to address diastolic dysfunctions in patients diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. “This discovery is a testament to our commitment to creating therapies tailored for specific patient groups, ensuring safety and efficacy,” said Annac.
One of the primary strategies for shaping the future of work at InvivoSciences, Inc. is to embrace change, said Annac. “Our leadership understands the importance of being comfortable with change, and we actively foster an environment where new ideas and technologies are welcomed,” she said.
According to her staff, Annac has been an inspiring figure within the company and has demonstrated extraordinary resilience. “Her care, humility, determination, grit, commitment and courageous heart make her a true titan of the hearts,” they said. “Her journey is a remarkable testament to the transformative power of leadership, vision and passion in the face of adversity and she is undoubtedly deserving of recognition for her exceptional contributions to the world of precision heart failure drug development.”
Demonstrating the characteristics of a profound leader and scientist, Annac has been named a titan.
