NAARDEN, Netherlands & WALTHAM, Mass.– Prilenia Therapeutics B.V., a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the urgent mission to develop novel therapeutics to slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jina Swartz, M.D. Ph.D., as its first Chief Medical Officer (CMO). In this role, Jina will lead all clinical development and medical affairs activities at Prilenia.
Jina has more than 30 years’ experience in both academic neurology practice and in global drug development at leading pharmaceutical companies and joins Prilenia from Exciva, a neurodegeneration-focused biotech, where she was Chief Medical Officer. Previously, Jina served as Therapeutic Area Head of Neuroscience in Global Clinical Drug Development at Merck and Co.
Renowned within both research and industry circles, Jina is active in several important neurology and neurodegeneration associations including the European Brain Council and the European Federation of Neurological Associations. She also was recently elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences for her expertise in neurodegenerative disorders and neuropsychiatric drug development.
“Jina joins Prilenia during an important phase of the Company’s growth. We recently announced plans to submit pridopidine for regulatory review in Europe for Huntington’s disease (HD) and to commence a pivotal, global Phase 3 study in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Jina, in our newly created CMO role, will be a key leader as we advance these important initiatives,” said Dr. Michael R. Hayden, CEO of Prilenia. “Jina’s deep expertise as a thought leader, clinician treating neurodegenerative diseases and leader in global drug development is perfectly matched to our goal of changing the therapeutic landscape in HD and ALS.”
“This is such an exciting time to be joining Prilenia and to help advance the Company’s mission to develop new therapeutic options for people living with neurodegenerative diseases like HD and ALS,” said Jina Swartz, M.D. Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Prilenia. “We have a remarkable opportunity, with pridopidine, to positively impact the lives of those living with these devastating diseases where progression has proven difficult to slow thus far. I believe that Prilenia is on the cusp of changing that paradigm.”
Jina completed her Doctorate at the University of Cambridge, where her thesis focused on the exploration of molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease and trinucleotide disorders.
