#USA #San Diego #Parkinson's Disease #Aspen Neuroscience #Revati Shreeniwas

Aspen Neuroscience Strengthens Leadership Team

Aspen Neuroscience, Inc., a pioneering company in the biotechnology sector focusing on autologous regenerative therapies, has made important strides in its executive leadership. The company recently announced the appointment of Dr. Revati Shreeniwas as Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Lisa Johnson-Pratt as Chief Commercial Officer, signaling a strategic move to bolster its late-stage development and improve commercial readiness of its innovative therapies aimed at treating Parkinson's disease.

A Shift in Leadership

Dr. Shreeniwas brings over two decades of invaluable experience in global clinical development, having overseen more than 40 clinical trials across various therapeutic areas, particularly in neurology and neurodegeneration. Her impressive track record includes pivotal contributions to the commercialization of well-established therapies such as RYTARY®, which is used for Parkinson's disease treatment, among others like SUNOSI® and Esbriet®. This expertise positions her uniquely to navigate the complexities associated with advancing the clinical trials of ANPD001, Aspen's investigational therapy for Parkinson’s patients.

In parallel, Dr. Lisa Johnson-Pratt, who has been leading Aspen's program strategy for ANPD001, will transition into the role of Chief Commercial Officer. With over 20 years in the industry, she has extensive experience in managing the full product lifecycle, including clinical development and commercialization at renowned companies such as Merck and GSK. Her strategic foresight and operational capabilities are expected to significantly contribute to Aspen's mission of providing patient-centered solutions.

Commitment to Patients

As President and CEO Damien McDevitt described, the appointments are driven by a commitment to prioritizing patient needs. Integrating two seasoned leaders into these critical roles emphasizes Aspen's progression in developing its autologous iPSC-derived cell therapy. Both Dr. Shreeniwas and Dr. Johnson-Pratt share a common goal—to ensure a seamless transition from clinical trials to market availability, ensuring that patients waiting for these therapies receive them with the utmost integrity and efficacy.

“Patients are at the core of everything we do,” said Dr. Johnson-Pratt regarding the ongoing preparations for the commercialization of ANPD001. She emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and readying the market infrastructure to effectively bring this personalized regenerative cell therapy to the patients and families eagerly awaiting its availability.

ANPD001: A Revolutionary Approach

ANPD001 is touted as the most advanced investigational autologous cell therapy in the U.S. for Parkinson's disease. This innovative approach leverages a small biopsy of the patient’s skin cells, which are then reprogrammed to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This leads to the generation of dopamine-producing neurons that can replace those lost due to Parkinson's disease, all without the need for immunosuppressive drugs, significantly reducing potential adverse effects and enhancing patient safety.

The therapy is currently in the Phase 1/2a trial, with details available on clinicaltrials.gov under NCT06344026. Fast Track designation from the FDA underscores the urgency and significance of this development for Parkinson's patients, making it a pivotal point of interest within the biotechnology field.

Looking Ahead

The company is also actively involved in the ASPIRO trial—the first multi-patient, multi-center study evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of ANPD001. By focusing on levodopa-responsive patients aged 50 to 70, Aspen aims to gather crucial data that will inform the next steps in therapy approval and patient treatment options.

This dual leadership approach at Aspen Neuroscience is more than just a strategic business maneuver; it reflects a broader commitment to transforming the landscape of neurological disease care, ultimately aiming to deliver personalized, effective treatment solutions for those affected by Parkinson's disease. More information on their advances can be found at aspenneuroscience.com.