FRAMINGHAM, Mass.– Alzheon, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of product candidates and diagnostic assays for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders, today announced the appointments of Susan Flint as Vice President of Clinical Operations, Patrick Kesslak, PhD, as Vice President of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, and Erwan de Naurois as Vice President of Finance.
“Our goal at Alzheon is to build the strongest data package to evaluate the therapeutic profile of oral tablet ALZ-801, deliver regulatory submissions, and support approval. In the first indication alone, we have an opportunity to provide a safe and effective treatment to millions of Alzheimer’s patients and open a path to treatment for the remaining Alzheimer’s populations, as well as healthy people at high risk for the disease,” said Martin Tolar, MD, PhD, Alzheon Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Our strong financial position following the completion of the Series D round and excitement from the announcement of industry-leading disease modifying effects in our Phase 2 biomarker trial of oral ALZ-801, attracted top talent to Alzheon to build world-class development and business organizations. With these new executives, we will accelerate development and commercialization of ALZ-801 and continue expansion into new platform and indication opportunities.”
Ms. Flint brings to Alzheon over 30 years of experience across the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on drug development, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs. Ms. Flint has managed more than 75 clinical studies, including over 20 Phase 3 clinical trials, several of which led to product approval by the FDA. Previously, she led clinical operations at Wilson Therapeutics AB. Her expertise ranges from pre-IND to commercial stages of drug development, with a focus in neurological, rare, and orphan diseases. Ms. Flint received her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Bridgewater State College and her Master of Sciences in Pharmacology at Northeastern University, graduating summa cum laude from both programs.
“There is an unparalleled medical need for an Alzheimer’s treatment capable of slowing the course of disease progression. Particularly, one characterized by both efficacy and favorable safety,” said Susan Flint. “I am excited to be working on Alzheon’s National Institute on Aging-sponsored pivotal Phase 3 trial, with the goal of completing enrollment this year.”
Dr. Kesslak brings to Alzheon 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with a focus on central nervous system disorders. His industry experience ranges from Phase 1 to Phase 3 studies, and commercial development in neurology and psychiatry. As a program lead, Dr. Kesslak advanced programs for the treatment of behavioral disorders in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. During his career, he has held positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Amgen, Allergan, Elan, Acadia, and most recently at Revance Therapeutics. Before joining industry, Dr. Kesslak practiced as a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and aging, and pursued basic research as associate professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As a clinician and original member of the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia at UCI, he was responsible for early studies on olfaction in Alzheimer’s, brain imaging, and clinical trials. Dr. Kesslak received his PhD in Psychology from Texas Christian University with a background in neuroscience, experimental, and clinical neuropsychology.
“Alzheon provides an innovative alternative to anti-amyloid antibodies and the recent biomarker and clinical results demonstrate the advantages of this approach,” said Patrick Kesslak, PhD. “With Phase 3 development in full swing and the Phase 2 biomarker trial running in parallel, I am incredibly excited to be a part of the team working to bring novel disease-modifying treatments to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.”
Mr. de Naurois brings to Alzheon more than 15 years of experience in corporate strategy, financial planning, commercial development and partnering. He has delivered strategic initiatives, such as new product developments and launches, global commercialization, business acquisitions, divestitures, and operational turnarounds to a number of organizations. Mr. de Naurois has worked in leadership roles in companies across the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector, most recently at Flagship Pioneering. At Flagship, he led the implementation of systems to scale up operations of early-stage biotechnology companies and established and migrated financial functions of 7 spinouts. Mr. de Naurois holds degrees from Paris Nanterre University and Cranfield University, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and a member of the Institute of Directors in the United Kingdom.
“The Alzheimer’s space is poised to have its most eventful year and Alzheon is leading the charge with oral tablet ALZ-801,” said Erwan de Naurois. “Our lead product, which inhibits the toxic oligomerization of beta amyloid protein and keeps them in their healthy monomeric form, has been shown to slow the downstream pathology and cognitive decline of AD patients. I am thrilled to join this team as we work to provide relief to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and hope to their families and loved ones.”
