2 November 2018, Maastricht, The Netherlands – Cristal Therapeutics has appointed Dr. Axel Mescheder to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. He will also serve as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
Dr. Mescheder joins Cristal Therapeutics from Lanthio Pharma, a Dutch company and part of MorphoSys AG, where he served as Chief Medical and Development Officer. He brings over 25 years of clinical development and regulatory experience gained from senior leadership roles that have included Vice President Medical and Regulatory Affairs Europe at Medpace, and Chief Medical and Development Officer at TopoTarget, and MediGene. He also served as a Medical Director at MorphoSys and has held a number of research and development management positions at the Genetics Institute, Wyeth-Ayerst Research, a division of Pfizer, and Centeon Pharma, CSL Behring and Hoffman-La Roche. He has a track record of developing, implementing and driving clinical development programs that have led to successful product registrations or label extensions, in both Europe and the U.S. Dr. Mescheder’s expertise spans across a number of therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology and inflammation.
Dr. Simon Sturge, Chairman of Cristal Therapeutics’ Supervisory Board said, “On behalf of the board and management team, I am pleased to welcome Axel to Cristal Therapeutics. He joins the management team at a pivotal time for the Company as it advances its lead drug candidate, CPC634, through phase 2 clinical trials in patients with ovarian cancer. Axel’s clinical development and oncology experience makes him an excellent fit for the Company as he leads these programs.”
His appointment follows co-founder Dr. Joost Holthuis’ decision to step down this month as Chief Executive Officer. Dr.Holthuis will provide support over the coming months as Dr. Mescheder transitions into his new leadership roles.
Dr. Simon Sturge, added, “I would also like to thank Joost for his hard work and dedication since Cristal Therapeutics’ foundation in April 2011. His work helped transform Cristal Therapeutics from a platform technology company to a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. He has built an exceptional team that has secured several research partnerships and developed a pipeline of novel therapeutics.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Mescheder added, “I am pleased to be joining the Company at this key stage of its development. I look forward to working with the management team and board to build on the exciting pipeline of nanomedicine-based oncology therapeutic assets already created by Cristal Therapeutics’ team.”
Dr. Mescheder is a board certified Medical Specialist in Pharmacology and Toxicology and holds a Dr. Med. Degree from Chr.-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany