#United States #Pasadena #ALS #AcuraStem #Neurodegenerative

AcuraStem Appoints Dr. Marcel van der Brug as Chief Scientific Officer

AcuraStem, a leading biotechnology firm dedicated to innovating treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative conditions, announced today the appointment of Dr. Marcel van der Brug as the new Chief Scientific Officer. This strategic move is expected to significantly strengthen the organization's scientific foundation and aims to advance its proprietary iNeuroRx® platform, which is already recognized as a gold standard in the development of therapeutic solutions.

Dr. van der Brug comes with a wealth of experience in neuroscience and therapeutic development, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases. His expertise stems from a rich background in significant scientific research and clinical applications, including critical roles held at Genentech, where he played an instrumental role in accelerating treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. As a co-founder of Character Biosciences, he directed efforts towards developing personalized therapies, solidifying his role as a thought leader in the genetic and translational medicine space.

The scientist holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Queensland in Australia, and his postdoctoral training at the National Institute on Aging revolved around molecular genetics and neurodegeneration. The profound insights gained from this work have greatly informed his strategies for understanding the intricate mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases, reinforcing his capacity to lead interdisciplinary teams towards effective and innovative solutions.

In his capacity as Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. van der Brug will oversee the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets as well as propel the advancement of antisense oligonucleotide therapies into the early stages of development. Furthermore, he will lead the charge in expanding the capabilities of the iNeuroRx® platform to encompass new indications for disease and broaden treatment modalities.

Dr. van der Brug’s enthusiasm for his new role is evident. “Joining AcuraStem at such a critical time for our understanding of diseases like ALS is both humbling and exhilarating. I am honored to lead a talented team utilizing a powerful platform that models the heterogeneity of the patient population. Our commitment to swiftly advancing innovative therapies reflects my passion for translating scientific breakthroughs into meaningful clinical solutions. I anticipate working closely with my colleagues to develop new therapies that significantly enhance patients' lives.”

AcuraStem CEO Sam Alworth expressed confidence in Dr. van der Brug's contribution. “With his extensive experience in human genetics and clinical biomarker development, Dr. van der Brug is the ideal addition to propel our patient-centric therapeutic approach. His visionary work will be essential in expanding our existing therapies and technological capacity, ultimately ensuring that more disease-modifying treatments reach clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases.”

For anyone seeking to follow AcuraStem’s pioneering initiatives in the biopharmaceutical arena, additional details about their innovative work can be found at acurastem.com. This appointment not only signifies a pivotal moment for AcuraStem but highlights a broader commitment toward addressing the complex challenges presented by neurodegenerative diseases and improving patient outcomes across the board.