Guilford-based company InveniAI LLC, which uses artificial intelligence for drug discovery and development, has appointed Dr. Salvatore Alesci as its chief scientific officer.

Alesci, a physician and scientist, will work with the leadership team on scientific and business strategies.

The company is focused on the gut-brain connection and chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. The company anticipates submitting its first new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration in 2025.

InveniAI President and CEO Krishnan Nandabalan said he is delighted to have Alesci join the team during the company’s next phase of growth.

“I'm looking forward to working closely with him as we rapidly advance our portfolio of therapies for chronic inflammatory GI-diseases, with plans to scale these efforts in the near term,” Nandabalan said.

Alesci has held scientific leadership roles in the government, pharmaceutical and nonprofit sectors. He currently serves as chief scientist and strategy officer for Beyond Celiac, an organization focused on a cure for celiac disease. He has also held leadership positions at pharmaceutical companies including Wyeth, Pfizer and Merck. 

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TransAct Technologies mourns board member

TransAct Technologies of Hamden recently announced the passing of its longtime board member Thomas R. Schwarz.

Bart Shuldman, chairman and CEO of TransAct, said Schwarz was also an “incredible mentor, a lifelong friend, and a true leader of the company.”

Schwarz served on the company’s board for more than 24 years.

“He leaves behind a legacy of driving innovation and transformation here at TransAct that saw us through some of our most complex business challenges,” Shuldman said. “We cannot be more thankful to him for his service to the company and he will be greatly missed by the TransAct family.”

TransAct develops software-driven technology and printing solutions for various markets, including restaurants, casinos and gaming, lottery, mobile, and oil and gas. 

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Hamden-based architecture firm announces promotion

Hoffmann Architects, an architecture and engineering firm based in Hamden, has promoted Robert G. Delagrange to senior business development manager.

Delagrange joined the company, which specializes in rehabilitating building exteriors, in 2016 as a business development manager.

The company’s leadership lauded Delagrange for helping the company grow, including reaching new clients. He has been responsible for sales for the entire New England region, including corporate, educational, government, religious, hospitality, and cultural sectors. According to the company, Delagrange has successfully expanded the firm’s reach throughout Massachusetts, helping it secure projects at leading academic institutions and healthcare facilities.