Don de Bethizy has been engaged as Senior Advisor to the Executive Management and Board of Directors of Cereno Scientific
Cereno Scientific (Nasdaq First North: CRNO B), a company developing innovative treatments for common and rare cardiovascular disease, today announced that Don de Bethizy has been engaged as Senior Advisor to the Executive Management and Board of Directors of Cereno Scientific, to support the company in reaching its strategic growth objectives.
J. Donald (Don) de Bethizy, PhD has more than 30 years of experience in managing and financing life science-related technologies and has played a key role in building and advising several life sciences companies. Don de Bethizy advised the CEO and board of NDA Group AB one of the world’s leading private biotechnology regulatory consulting firms until its sale to SSI Strategy in 2023. In 2017, Don facilitated the management buyout of Albumedix Ltd from Novozymes A/S and the subsequent sale of Albumedix Ltd to Sartorius for 415 MGBP in late 2022.
Currently, Don de Bethizy is Vice Chair of the board of argenx NV a global commercial immunology company headquartered in Gent, Belgium with 2023 sales of 1.2 BUSD of its first drug Vyvgart in the rare autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis. In 2014, in his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Danish biotech Santaris Pharma A/S, he led the sale of the company to Roche for 450 MUSD. He co-founded Targacept, Inc. and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer for 15 years. Don de Bethizy led Targacept’s private and US Nasdaq public financings totaling approximately 330 MUSD, including the Company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in April 2006.
Don de Bethizy holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland and an M.S. and PhD in Toxicology from Utah State University. He is currently President of White City Consulting ApS (Denmark), a Director at Lophora ApS (Denmark) and Proterris Inc (USA). He is a U.S. citizen and resident of Denmark.
“We look forward to working closely with Don de Bethizy. His extensive experience from developing successful biotech companies in an international environment, successful financing, partnering and exit experience, wide personal network together with a solid understanding of the potential of Cereno’s pipeline will be a great support for us as we progress our pipeline and our growth to reach our strategic goals”, said Sten R. Sörensen, CEO, Cereno Scientific.
“I have been following Cereno Scientific for some time, and I see great potential in their most intriguing pipeline within common and rare cardiovascular disease. I look forward to working with Cereno’s Executive Team and Board to propel the company’s maturity and growth”, said Don de Bethizy.
For further information, please contact:
Henrik Westdahl, Director IR & Communications
Email: henrik.westdahl@cerenoscientific.com
Phone: +46 70-817 59 96
Sten R. Sörensen, CEO
Email: sten.sorensen@cerenoscientific.com
Phone: +46 73-374 03 74
About Cereno Scientific AB
Cereno Scientific develops innovative treatments for common and rare cardiovascular disease. The lead drug candidate, CS1, is a HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitor that acts as an epigenetic modulator with pressure-reducing, reverse-remodeling, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-thrombotic properties. A Phase II study is ongoing to evaluate CS1’s safety, tolerability, and efficacy in patients with the rare disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A collaboration agreement with global healthcare company Abbott allows Cereno to use their cutting-edge technology CardioMEMS HF System in the study. Two initiatives performed during the ongoing Phase II study have shown positive findings suggesting the potential clinical benefit of CS1 in PAH patients. These initial findings are, however, not a guarantee of the final study results that are expected in Q3 2024. Since January 2024, we are delighted that the FDA´s Expanded Access Program will enable patients with PAH, a serious life-threatening disease condition, to gain access to CS1 where no comparable alternative therapy options are available. Cereno also has two promising preclinical drug candidates in development through research collaborations with the University of Michigan. Investigational drug CS014 is a HDAC inhibitor in development as a treatment for arterial and venous thrombosis prevention. The innovative drug candidate represents a groundbreaking approach to antithrombotic treatment potentially without the associated increased risk of bleeding in humans. CS014 is a new chemical entity with a multi-fold mechanism of action as an epigenetic modulator – regulating platelet activity, fibrinolysis, and clot stability for the prevention of thrombosis without increased risk of bleeding as documented in preclinical studies. Drug candidate CS585 is a prostacyclin receptor agonist that has been documented in several preclinical studies to target the IP receptor for prevention of thrombosis without increased risk of bleeding, which also has been recognized in the medical community. CS585 was in-licensed from the University of Michigan in 2023. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and has a US subsidiary Cereno Scientific Inc. based in Kendall Square in Boston, Massachusetts, US. Cereno is listed on the Nasdaq First North (CRNO B). More information on www.cerenoscientific.com.
