Asceneuron SA, a clinical-stage company focused on targeting the root causes of neurodegenerative diseases, has appointed Barbara Angehrn Pavik as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This leadership transition is designed to propel the company into its next phase of growth, particularly with two compounds in clinical development.
Dirk Beher, who co-founded Asceneuron and has been serving as its Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and CEO since 2014, will transition into the role of Chief Scientific Advisor.
Peter Van Vlasselaer, the Chair of the Board, expressed his appreciation for Dirk Beher’s leadership and dedication, which played a pivotal role in Asceneuron’s growth and establishment as a pioneer in the field of neurodegenerative disease research.
He also noted that the company is currently experiencing significant momentum in the therapeutic area, making it an opportune time to strengthen Asceneuron’s position.
Barbara Angehrn Pavik brings over two decades of industry experience to her new role as CEO. Her extensive background includes leadership positions at renowned EU and U.S. companies, including Amgen, Onyx, Exelixis, and her previous role as Founder and CEO of Stepstone Pharma. Most recently, she served as the Chief Business Officer at Vifor, where she played a crucial role in the company’s acquisition by CSL Limited.
Barbara Angehrn Pavik expressed her honor at joining Asceneuron during this transformative period, especially as the company enters clinical development. She is enthusiastic about building on the strong foundation established by Dirk Beher and the Asceneuron team.
Dirk Beher, in his new role as Chief Scientific Advisor, is confident in the company’s potential under Barbara’s leadership and is committed to supporting her vision for Asceneuron’s future growth.
This leadership transition reflects Asceneuron’s commitment to advancing its innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and achieving important milestones in clinical development.
About Asceneuron
Asceneuron is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing orally bioavailable therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders with a significant unmet medical need. The company’s pipeline reflects its commitment to developing treatments for a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and orphan tauopathies.
Key highlights of Asceneuron’s pipeline include:
- Parkinson’s Disease: Asceneuron is developing a potential best-in-class small molecule O-GlcNAcase inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This innovative approach aims to address the underlying proteinopathies associated with this condition.
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders: Asceneuron is also working on another potential best-in-class small molecule O-GlcNAcase inhibitor, specifically targeting Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. This effort is part of the company’s broader mission to combat the devastating effects of neurodegenerative diseases.
As a privately held company, Asceneuron has secured financing from a prestigious group of investors, including Sofinnova Partners, M Ventures, SR One, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), and Kurma Partners.
This strong backing enables Asceneuron to pursue groundbreaking research and clinical development initiatives with the goal of making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals affected by neurodegenerative disorders.