BRIEF—Augustine appoints new chief medical officer

Belgian neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorder specialist Augustine Therapeutics has made several executive appointments, including a new chief medical officer.

The Leuven-based biotech has recruited Marie Trad to the top medical role, a biotech leader with experience at large pharma firms, including Sanofi-Aventis, and in the clinical research organization (CRO) sector.

Augustine has also secured the services of Jonathan van Eyll as head of pharmacology and Cédric Szyndralewiez as head of non-clinical and early development.

The appointments come at the same time as the opening of a new R&D lab and office facility at the Arenberg Accelerator building.

Augustine is looking to progress its HDAC6-focused programs towards the clinic for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), as well as CNS diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).