Maastricht, The Netherlands, 2nd November 2018 – Cristal Therapeutics, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer and other diseases with high unmet patient need, has appointed Dr. Axel Mescheder to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. He will also serve as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
Dr. Mescheder joins Cristal Therapeutics from Lanthio Pharma, a Dutch company and part of MorphoSys AG, where he served as Chief Medical and Development Officer. He brings over 25 years of clinical development and regulatory experience gained from senior leadership roles that have included Vice President Medical and Regulatory Affairs Europe at Medpace, and Chief Medical and Development Officer at TopoTarget, and MediGene. He also served as a Medical Director at MorphoSys and has held a number of research and development management positions at the Genetics Institute, Wyeth-Ayerst Research, a division of Pfizer, and Centeon Pharma, CSL Behring and Hoffman-La Roche.
He has a track record of developing, implementing and driving clinical development programs that have led to successful product registrations or label extensions, in both Europe and the U.S. Dr. Mescheder’s expertise spans across a number of therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology and inflammation.
Dr. Simon Sturge, Chairman of Cristal Therapeutics’ Supervisory Board said, “On behalf of the board and management team, I am pleased to welcome Axel to Cristal Therapeutics. He joins the management team at a pivotal time for the Company as it advances its lead drug candidate, CPC634, through phase 2 clinical trials in patients with ovarian cancer. Axel’s clinical development and oncology experience makes him an excellent fit for the Company as he leads these programs.”
His appointment follows co-founder Dr. Joost Holthuis’ decision to step down this month as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Joost Holthuis will provide support over the coming months as Dr. Mescheder transitions into his new leadership roles.
Dr. Simon Sturge, added, “I would also like to thank Joost for his hard work and dedication since Cristal Therapeutics’ foundation in April 2011. His work helped transform Cristal Therapeutics from a platform technology company to a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. He has built an exceptional team that has secured several research partnerships and developed a pipeline of novel therapeutics.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Mescheder added, “I am pleased to be joining the Company at this key stage of its development. I look forward to working with themanagement team and board to build on the exciting pipeline of nanomedicine-based oncology therapeutic assets already created by Cristal Therapeutics’ team.”
Dr. Mescheder is a board certified Medical Specialist in Pharmacology and Toxicology and holds a Dr. Med. Degree from Chr.-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
About Cristal Therapeutics
Cristal Therapeutics is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer and other diseases with high unmet patient need and considerable commercial potential. The Company’s product candidates are based on its proprietary CriPec® polymeric nanoparticle technology platform, which enables the design of customised nanomedicines with superior therapeutic profiles. CriPec®-based products have the potential to provide enhanced efficacy and reduced side effect profiles, thus offering improved disease treatment.
The Company’s lead product, CPC634, is in clinical Phase 2 studies for the treatment of solid tumours. The Company has several other products in preclinical development focussed on the treatment of cancer.
Cristal Therapeutics is a private company that has raised over €20M equity financing to date. The Company’s headquarters and laboratories are located in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Find out more: www.cristaltherapeutics.com
For more information, please contact:
Cristal Therapeutics:
Dr. Axel Mescheder Chief Executive Officer T: +49 17 2636 0890
E: Axel/Mescheder@cristaltherapeutics.com
Media relations:
Instinctif Partners
Lynne Trowbridge / Eileen Paul/Gemma Harris T: +44 20 7457 2861
E: cristal@instinctif.com