Unicycive adds Meredith Manning to its board

Unicycive Therapeutics named biopharma executive Meredith Manning to its Board of Directors on Oct. 2, 2026, as the company pushes its kidney-disease pipeline toward potential approval and a commercial launch. Manning brings more than 25 years of global commercialization experience, including senior roles at Soleno Therapeutics, PharmaEssentia and Shire.

Why it matters: - Unicycive is preparing for a possible transition from clinical-stage biotech to commercial-stage company. - Meredith Manning’s background centers on building commercial teams, launching drugs and scaling biopharma organizations. - Her appointment adds board-level experience in commercialization, governance and capital-markets support as Unicycive advances oxylanthanum carbonate.

What happened: - Unicycive Therapeutics appointed Meredith Manning, M.B.A., to its Board of Directors on Oct. 2, 2026. - The company is based in Mountain View, California. - Manning will serve on the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. - Manning will chair the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The details: - Unicycive develops therapies for patients with kidney disease. - Unicycive’s lead investigational treatment is oxylanthanum carbonate, a phosphate binder for hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. - The company’s second investigational treatment, UNI-494, is being studied for conditions related to acute kidney injury. - UNI-494 has FDA orphan drug designation for prevention of delayed graft function in kidney transplant patients. - UNI-494 has completed a Phase 1 dose-ranging safety study in healthy volunteers. - Manning most recently served as chief commercial officer of Soleno Therapeutics from 2024 until Soleno’s acquisition by Neurocrine Biosciences in 2026. - At Soleno, Manning built the commercial organization from inception and led the U.S. launch of VYKAT XR, the first FDA-approved treatment for hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome. - Manning also worked on asset evaluation, lifecycle planning, due diligence and ex-U.S. distribution partner selection at Soleno. - From 2020 to 2023, Manning served as general manager and later president, The Americas, at PharmaEssentia and was a voting member of the company’s U.S. Board of Directors. - At PharmaEssentia, Manning built the U.S. organization, held P&L responsibility and helped secure FDA approval of BESREMi and lead its U.S. launch. - Manning previously served as chief commercial officer of resTORbio. - Earlier in her career, Manning was vice president, global marketing and product strategy lead, hemophilia, at Shire, where she led a seven-brand portfolio across more than 65 countries. - Manning also held senior U.S. marketing and field leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, including the launch of INCIVEK, and director-level roles at Pfizer in oncology business development, marketing and managed care. - Manning holds a B.A. in political science from The Colorado College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Between the lines: - Unicycive’s statement highlighted Manning’s commercialization track record, signaling that the board wants deeper operating experience as regulatory milestones approach. - Manning’s own comments point to the company’s recent NDA resubmission and its move toward a commercial-stage business model. - The board appointment also broadens Unicycive’s governance bench with a director experienced in launches, board service and growth-stage planning.

What's next: - Unicycive said it is working toward potential approval of oxylanthanum carbonate. - The company is also preparing for the next stage of growth if regulatory progress continues. - Manning will help guide oversight through the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.

The bottom line: - Unicycive is betting that a seasoned commercial operator on the board will help bridge the gap between clinical development and a possible product launch.