Maastricht, The Netherlands, April 21, 2015 / B3C newswire / -- Cristal Therapeutics, a privately-held life sciences company developing novel nanotherapeutics against cancer and other diseases, by using its patented CriPec® platform announced today the appointment of Jeroen Tonnaer as new Chief Business Officer responsible for Cristal Therapeutics’ business development, partnering and licensing activities.
Jeroen obtained an MSc in biology, a PhD in pharmacology and is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP™). As an employee of major pharma companies, he built a broad knowledge and expertise in drug discovery & development and research strategy. He has extensive international and cross-cultural partnering & licensing expertise.
As a neuroscientist Jeroen joined Organon in 1982. He held further positions as Head DMPK, Executive Director Toxicology, and Executive Director Global Research Alliances. Subsequently he was Head Discovery Collaborations Europe for Schering-Plough. Following Schering-Plough’s acquisition by Merck & Co. (called MSD outside the US and Canada), Jeroen joined Merck’s Worldwide Licensing organization in February 2010 to become head of the European External Scientific Affairs team. Since then this team has been the driver in the identification and execution of several multimillion-$$ licensing and partnering deals.
“I am delighted to welcome Jeroen to Cristal Therapeutics and look forward to working with him,” remarked CEO Joost Holthuis. “Jeroen will strengthen our key existing business relationships and focus on finding, executing and fostering new partnering opportunities for Cristal Therapeutics.”
Recent financing round
In December 2014, Cristal Therapeutics completed a financing round of over €6 million which includes investments from new and existing investors and a national innovation fund. Venture capital investor Chemelot Ventures joins as a new shareholder and existing investors Thuja Capital, BioGeneration Ventures, Nedermaas, Utrecht University Holding and Beheer Innovatiefonds Provincie Limburg also contributed. The financing is used to launch the first clinical study of Cristal Therapeutics’ most advanced therapy, CriPec® docetaxel, to be initiated in Q2 2015. If successful, this will enable chemotherapy to proceed more selectively and effectively, with fewer side effects.
About Cristal Therapeutics and CriPec® docetaxel
Cristal Therapeutics, established in Maastricht, focuses on the development of nanomedicines with improved therapeutic efficacy. The pipeline comprises of products based on drugs in development and also on the market, in combination with the patented CriPec® platform, for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders. CriPec® transforms drugs into polymeric nanoparticles via an innovative process. These nanoparticles provide improved distribution throughout the body. The substantial improvement of the efficacy and safety of the drugs entrapped in CriPec® nanoparticles has been demonstrated in several preclinical disease models. Cristal Therapeutics has demonstrated the benefits of CriPec® for various molecules, including peptide drugs, as well as for applications such as active targeting. The results to date have contributed to the company’s present innovative product portfolio.
Contacts
Cristal Therapeutics
Joost Holthuis, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
+31 65 435 5535
joost.holthuis@cristaltherapeutics.com
SPJ Financial & Corporate Communications
Léon Melens
+31 (0)20 - 647 81 81
+31 (0)6 - 538 16 427
lmelens@spj.nl
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