Scenic Biotech BV (“Scenic”), a pioneer in the discovery of genetic modifiers to enable the development of disease modifying therapeutics for rare genetic disorders and other devastating illnesses, today announced that Dr C. A. Oscar Izeboud has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1 July 2020 - Scenic Biotech BV (“Scenic”), a pioneer in the discovery of genetic modifiers to enable the development of disease modifying therapeutics for rare genetic disorders and other devastating illnesses, today announced that Dr C. A. Oscar Izeboud has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Former acting CEO and scientific co-founder Dr Sebastian Nijman takes on the role of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).
Dr Izeboud brings over 20 years life science and finance industry experience to Scenic at a pivotal stage in the Company’s development as it expands the utility of its Cell-Seq high resolution genetics platform and transitions its early pipeline from discovery into development.
Prior to joining Scenic Dr Izeboud served as Managing Director at NIBC Bank N.V. in Amsterdam, where he led its corporate finance and capital markets team with a focus on innovation and growth companies. Previously, Dr Izeboud successfully developed the Life Sciences and Healthcare practice of Kempen & Co., a Dutch merchant bank. During his tenure at Kempen & Co. and NIBC Bank, Dr. Izeboud was instrumental in numerous public and private transactions in Europe and the USA. Prior to entering the banking industry, Dr. Izeboud served as the Director of Business Development at the biotechnology company, Crucell, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2011. In addition to his CEO role, he serves on the Board of Directors at Luciole Medical. Dr Izeboud received his Ph.D. in immunopharmacology from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Dr Ulrich Grau, Chairman of the Board of Scenic Biotech, commented:
“On behalf of the board and management I am delighted to welcome Oscar as Scenic’s new CEO. With his extensive experience and impressive achievements, he complements and strengthens the outstanding scientific acumen of the Scenic team allowing the company to play a pioneering role in identifying genetic modifiers as novel drug targets. Using its proprietary Cell-Seq platform the Company is now poised to progress its portfolio of programs in immuno-oncology and rare inherited diseases.”
Welcoming Dr Izeboud to the team, Dr Sebastian Nijman co-founder and CSO of Scenic Biotech said:
“In the last three years Scenic has pioneered the genetic modifier space and is now gaining momentum on all fronts, including its lead QPCTL immuno-oncology program. Hence, the timing of bringing in Oscar could not be better. He has an outstanding track record in strategic leadership and building company value through his unique mix of financing and business development experience across the life science and healthcare sectors. We look forward to working with him.”
Dr Izeboud, CEO of Scenic Biotech commented:
“Scenic it is one of the most exciting early stage biotech companies in Europe and I am excited to be taking on the CEO role at this pivotal time. Working at the forefront of identifying genetic modifiers as disease targets for drug intervention, Scenic has immense potential to develop breakthrough therapies for rare inherited diseases and cancer. I am impressed with what the team has achieved so far and look forward to driving Scenic’s further development.”
Scenic recently announced it had been awarded a €3.1 million Innovation Credit from the Dutch Government, to support its lead CD47/QPCTL immuno-oncology program through preclinical development towards human clinical studies.
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Caption (image 1): CEO of Scenic Biotech Oscar Izeboud, PhD. Copyright Scenic Biotech
Caption (image 2): Artist representation of a genetic modifier network. Copyright Scenic Biotech
Notes to Editors:
About Scenic Biotech
Scenic Biotech is focused on identifying genetic modifiers, a completely new class of disease targets, for drug intervention. Also known as disease suppressors, genetic modifiers are genes that act to suppress or completely block the effect of a disease-causing mutated gene.
As a pioneer in the field, Scenic Biotech is building the largest proprietary data warehouse of genetic modifiers and has already identified a number of novel genetic modifiers for over a dozen inherited diseases. This approach is enabling the development of disease modifying therapeutics for devastating diseases including inherited rare diseases and cancer.
Scenic Biotech is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Company was founded in 2017 as a spin-out of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Oxford University, backed by a DutchUK syndicate of Venture Capital investors that include BioGeneration Ventures, Inkef Capital, and Oxford Sciences Innovation. It has received €3.1 M non-dilutive Innovation Credit funding from the Dutch government RVO agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
For further information please visit: www.scenicbiotech.com
About Genetic Modifiers
Genetic modifiers or disease suppressors are genes that counteract the effect of a disease-causing gene. They explain why some people with genetic mutations linked to severe disease end up having only mild or no symptoms. Genetic modifiers therefore positively influence the severity of disease and act as a ‘natural form of protection’. Genetic modifiers are a completely new class of therapeutic/drug targets.
For Further information, please contact:
At the Company
info@scenicbiotech.com
Media Enquiries
Sue Charles, Charles Consultants, sue.charles59@outlook.com, +44 (0)7986 726585
