PITTSBURGH– CytoAgents, Inc., a clinical-stage therapeutics company developing a safe, effective treatment (CTO1681) for Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), today announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Arthur P. Bertolino MD, PhD, MBA, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Bertolino is a seasoned senior pharmaceuticals executive who has led clinical development and business growth for early-stage biotechnology as well as mid-sized and large pharmaceutical companies. Through extensive domestic and international management and drug development experience, including C-level roles in pharmaceuticals and boutique biotechnology, Dr. Bertolino combines science, medicine, and business administration, with leadership acumen and drive to efficiently deliver high-value pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Bertolino is highly regarded for his international clinical research and development. He most recently served as Chief Medical Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he had responsibility for clinical and operational guidance for drug development and accountability for all business functions and clinical activities. Previously, he served in roles at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), as the Vice President & Global Head of Translational Medicine for Autoimmunity, Immunology and Dermatology; Chief Medical Officer at Revance Therapeutics; Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Medical Affairs, for Peplin, Inc.; and, earlier, as Senior Director at Pfizer.
“CytoAgents’ mission to develop novel therapies to address the life-threatening symptoms of CRS, especially in oncology, is truly inspirational and meeting an unmet need,” said Dr. Bertolino. “I have dedicated my career to clinical development and strategic pharma work and am excited to bring these capabilities to the CytoAgents’ leadership team and to the upcoming clinical trials,” said Dr. Bertolino.
CytoAgents is developing innovative pharmaceutical products to treat life-threatening conditions, diseases and disorders associated with Cytokine Release Syndrome, or CRS. Commonly referred to as cytokine storm and clinically also known as hypercytokinemia, CRS is a potentially lethal condition associated with a range of diseases and treatments. With a well-established mechanism of action and a strong safety profile, CytoAgents’ lead compound, CTO1681, targets the underlying cause of life-threatening CRS and is positioned to be a new, breakthrough therapy. CT01681’s ability to safely modulate the cytokine response makes it an ideal solution to address CAR T-Cell Therapy-related CRS in oncology.
“Our therapeutic, CTO1681, can unlock the clinical promise of CAR T-cell and Bispecifics Antibody therapies, which are currently limited by cytokine release syndrome,” said Teresa Whalen, RPh, CEO of CytoAgents. “The addition of Dr. Bertolino brings a powerful combination of biotech business and pharmaceutical clinical development to us at an opportune time as we embark on Phase Ib and Phase 2a clinical trials that will target CRS triggered by CAR T-cell therapy in oncology, and as we develop partnerships with strategic pharmaceutical companies also focused on this important medical need with limited treatment options.”
